Her life before she needed a transplant
Carmen Young came from a loving family where she was the second oldest of five children, three girls and two boys. Her parents are Brian and Nancy Young, who are very active in raising awareness for organ donation.
Carmen was just like any other kid. She was involved in many activities such as soccer, dancing, air cadets and girl guides. Like most other girls, she loved talking on the phone, giggling with her friends (especially about boys), acting, reading, watching T.V., playing the saxaphone and piano. She was a very busy girl. Like most siblings, she fought with her brothers and sisters.
All was fine until at the age of 12 when she was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatiod arthritis. Although she responded to treatment, unfortunately an adverse effect was the development of breathing problems due to low air capacity. At first the doctors believed Carmen had asthma, however, the medication did not relieve her symptoms. That is when the doctors considered a lung transplant. A lung biopsy showed that Carmen had a degenerative lung disease called bronchiolitis obliterams. Many treatments were explored but the doctors finally realized that lung transplants were her only chance. Her care then moved from the IWK to Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children since lungs are not transplanted in Nova Scotia.
