Johnnie Walker voices campaign to spot the signs and symptoms of lung scarring disease

Today (31 August 2024): National charity Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis (APF) launches a hard-hitting video campaign to spot the early signs and symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis (or lung scarring). APF wants to encourage earlier diagnosis so people can get the support they need and access drugs and therapies to help them live better and longer lives.   

BBC Radio 2 DJ Johnnie Walker and his wife Tiggy have spoken candidly about their experiences of living with and caring for someone with pulmonary fibrosis. Johnnie is at the late stages of this lung scarring disease.  

Voicing the campaign film, launched today for Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month this September, Johnnie Walker says: 

'Pulmonary fibrosis is a disease that scars the lungs making it harder and harder to breathe…in time, even the simplest thing, like tying a shoelace, can leave you fighting for breath.  It can affect anyone.’

Speaking about his support for the campaign, Johnnie Walker says:

'I wanted to put my voice to this impactful campaign so more people know about the signs and symptoms of a disease that ultimately robs you of your life and breath. I hope it raises awareness so more people can get access to the support and treatments they need to help them live better and longer lives.'

Currently, more than 5,000 people die every year in the UK from pulmonary fibrosis, more than from ovarian cancer or leukaemia. Thousands of people with the terminal lung-scarring disease pulmonary fibrosis are diagnosed late, reducing their life-expectancy and adversely affecting their quality of life.  

Stats from Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis reveal over three-quarters of people with pulmonary fibrosis (77%) say their GP didn’t tell them they might have pulmonary fibrosis before referring them to hospital leaving them unaware they’re living with a fatal lung disease.

Fiona, 42yrs, is a young mother living with pulmonary fibrosis.  It took over two years for her to get a diagnosis and she’s now on the lung transplant waiting list. Fiona says:

'I started to experience breathlessness and a persistent cough at 35yrs but it took years of pushing to get a diagnosis.  It was extremely distressing and delayed treatments which could have significantly changed my life with pulmonary fibrosis. I gave birth to my son Harry a year ago and my condition is getting worse. A lung transplant is my only hope.'

Stef Cormack, Director of Services, Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis, says:

Common symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis are a persistent cough and increasing breathlessness. These key symptoms can be confused with other diseases – like heart failure, bronchitis or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - but if people have these symptoms we’re asking them to ‘think PF’ and mention it to your doctor.'

For Pulmonary Fibrosis Month this September, the charity Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis is launching a hard-hitting video campaign on the signs and symptoms of this devastating disease. The campaign has been inspired by advertising leader John Wringe who sadly died of pulmonary fibrosis in 2023. A team of current and former colleagues who worked closely with John joined forces and developed the campaign which he started before he died.

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