Cameraman was given transplant 'second chance' after lung condition

MARK PRINT WAS ONE OF THE VERY FEW UNDER-50S HIT BY AN INCURABLE LUNG CONDITION CALLED IDIOPATHIC PULMONARY FIBROSIS (IPF) 18:37, 01 Jun 2025 A TV cameraman who's worked at the Olympic

Games wouldn't be here without a lifesaving Freeman Hospital transplant. Mark Print, 57, lives in Paisley in Scotland, but he is marking 12 years since he underwent a single-lung

transplant that saved his life. At just 42, Mark had begun to experience breathlessness and a dry cough - he was subsequently diagnosed with a an incurable condition called Idiopathic

Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). Despite having previously appeared healthy, Mark soon required an oxygen supply if he wanted to leave the house. Mark had worked as a cameraman for major

broadcasters including the BBC and Sky - and covered events from Crufts to the Premier League football. Mark kept working until the constant need for oxygen meant he had to stay at home -

but he remained in charge of the Sky Sports Football camera team from his sickbed, up until he had the transplant. That took place 12 years ago in 2013, and Mark was back at work just five

months later. Since then, Mark's career has gone from strength to strength. He has worked at events such as the 2024 Paris Olympics and the Cricket World Cup. His next goal is to head

Stateside for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Article continues below “Most days, I forget I’ve only got one working lung,” Mark said. “I am so grateful to the team at the Freeman Hospital for

their care and compassion – they have saved my life. I love my job and the opportunities it brings and I have been determined to continue working throughout. The single lung transplant gave

me a second chance at life — and I’m determined to make the most of it." He added that he hopes to inspire others to consider organ donation. He said: "Twelve years ago, I didn’t

know if I had a future. Now I wake up every day grateful — and breathing easy, thanks to my donor.” OUR CHRONICLELIVE DAILY NEWSLETTER IS FREE. YOU CAN SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT HERE. It will

keep you up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from the North East. Dr Gerard J. Meachery, respiratory and transplant consultant at the Freeman, said: “Single lung

transplants are less common, but are still an important treatment consideration in carefully selected patients with end stage lung disease by offering more patients, like Mark, a second

chance of life. "Mark’s story is inspirational as his lung function with one lung is better than some people with two lungs – he is not just surviving, he is thriving and enjoying his

life and work, and that is fantastic to see.” Dr Meachery added: “Mark’s story is testament to the success of lung transplantation and to the tireless dedication of the clinical teams

involved in the care of transplant patients like Mark. It also shows the critical impact organ donation can have on saving and extending the lives of so many people.” Article continues below

The Freeman is a leading transplant centre and has carried out thousands of heart and lung transplants over the last forty years. Back in 1985, an Chronicle campaign helped fund some of the

earliest of those transplants. An NHS Blood and Transplant spokesperson said: “Mark’s life was changed thanks to the kindness of a stranger. Transplantation would not be possible without

the generosity of those who choose to give life to others through organ donation. That’s why we urge everyone to confirm their support for organ donation on the NHS Organ Donor

Register." To find out more about organ donation, click here.