LIPHOOK fundraiser Karen Jackson agreed to vanish into a row of iconic red British telephone boxes to mark the launch of the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) Wear it. Beat it. campaign.

Thousands of people are set to join Karen, the director of a law firm, by wearing red tomorrow (Friday), to help raise £1million for the charity’s life saving research.

Karen was one of four heart heroes painted “invisible” to blend into red landmarks after being the first woman in the UK to receive a beating heart transplant just over ten years ago.

The 50-year-old lawyer was diagnosed with the inherited heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) as a child, where the muscle wall of your heart becomes thickened, making it harder to pump blood around the body.

When she was just 22, Karen suffered a stroke, leaving her temporarily paralysed down her left hand side and her health continued to deteriorate until her only chance of survival was a heart transplant.

On June 9, 2006, Karen received the call that would save her life and underwent major surgery to give her a new heart and a new lease of life.

She is alive today largely thanks to research the BHF has funded. By taking part in Wear it. Beat it. at home, school or in the workplace, more can be done to stop heart disease in its tracks and help put an end to people disappearing from their loved ones forever.

Karen said: “Having a stroke at just 22 years of age was the beginning of a tough journey. My heart gradually began to fail, and by the time I reached 38, I was suffering from heart failure.

“From the moment I woke up to the time I went to sleep, I was constantly fearful about my heart giving up on me, and I resigned myself to the fact this was now my life – I saw no solution.

“After a false alarm, I finally got the call to say there was a suitable heart available. I had already agreed to be part of a trial where the transplanted heart is kept pumping with blood instead of being kept frozen before the surgery, as it helps prevent permanent damage to the heart.

“Without trials like these, many of which are funded by the BHF, I don’t think I’d be here.

“Since my operation, I can honestly say I have never had a bad day and I am so positive about life. Taking part in Wear it. Beat it. and raising money for the BHF is my way to show how great it is to be alive, and to do as much as I can to make sure even more people get a new lease of life like I have now.”

BHF spokesman Adrian Adams added: “While it may not be easy to spot someone who is living with heart disease, you don’t have to look far to see the devastation it causes to millions of people across the UK. But Karen’s story shows how lives can be saved and transformed thanks to research.

“We are calling on the nation to take part in Wear it. Beat it.. We want to see everyone stand out in red on June 9 and host a red-themed fundraiser, whether it’s a bake sale, garden party or coffee morning. Together we can beat heart disease for good.” 

Last year more than 15,000 people took part in the event raising more than £750,000. The BHF is calling for even more people to get involved this year and help raise in excess of £1million towards heart research.

• For more information about how to get involved visit www.WearItBeatIt.bhf.org.uk