Ed Burdge was just like any other sports-mad 17 year old.
The keen footballer, now 18, thought he was fit and healthy until he suddenly fell ill during the pandemic and ended up needing a life-saving heart transplant.
Ed developed a cough in November 2021, then became extremely fatigued and had a racing heartbeat. When he went to the doctors, they thought it might have been Covid.
Little known to Ed, he was suffering from a serious heart condition and would end up fighting for his life in intensive care.
"When I became ill, it happened so quickly," Ed, a huge Liverpool FC supporter, told the Mirror.
"I went to the doctors, ended up in hospital and never left.
"It was completely unexpected; I had no idea there was anything wrong with my heart. Then to suddenly be in urgent need of a new one, it was a lot to take in."
Ed started to develop worrying symptoms on November 7, 2021.
He noticed his heart was racing, he had developed a cough and was also feeling extremely fatigued and sick.
His sister Charlotte Burdge, 21 - who is running the London Marathon for him this Sunday - said the family could barely believe what was happening.
Charlotte, a psychology student, said: "Ed didn't tend to get ill very often because he was so fit and healthy.
"Doctors were initially worried he might have Covid but mum pushed for him to be seen.
"When they listened to his heart, his heart rate was through the roof, so they sent him straight to the Bristol Royal Infirmary for further tests.
"We thought he might have a virus and never thought there would be anything wrong with his heart."
Ed's condition deteriorated rapidly in hospital. He was soon transferred to intensive care where he went into life-threatening cardiac arrest – but thankfully, medics were able to revive him.
Specialists diagnosed Ed with dilated cardiomyopathy - a disease of the heart muscle which makes the muscle walls become stretched and thin - and on November 22, he was transferred to the Royal Papworth Hospital for further treatment.
However, as his condition continued to decline, doctors told the family the situation was serious. Ed's heart was failing, and his organs were beginning to shut down.
Two weeks later, Ed was taken into theatre and placed on a BiVAD machine to help his failing heart continue to pump. Once his body was strong enough, Ed was put on the waiting list for an urgent heart transplant.
Charlotte explained: "We all knew that if Ed was to come out of ICU he'd need a new heart.
"It was an emotional and worrying time for us all. Ed's really tall – he's 6ft 5, so it was important that his heart would be a good match. The first three hearts that became available weren't suitable, but thankfully it was the fourth heart that became his transplant.
"It was an emotional rollercoaster and while it was fantastic that there was a suitable match for Ed, it was also bittersweet as we knew there would be another family grieving."
On January 9, 2022, after eight hours of surgery, Ed received a heart transplant that was meant to save his life.
Unfortunately, Ed's body had trouble accepting it, and he was put on life support for a further eight days to help his body adjust.
Finally, in mid-February 2022, after a long three months in hospital, Ed was well enough to go home.
He now feels like he has been able to have a second shot at life.
Despite being unable to play a football match since his transplant, the student is back to working out in the gym.
"It was such a whirlwind and my life completely changed but, it feels almost back to normal," a relieved Ed said.
"I feel like my energy levels are back, which is such a great feeling.
"Without all the research and science funded by the BHF, none of this would be possible.
"I've not only been given a second chance of life but thanks to research, I'm able to enjoy that second chance of life I get to have."
Charlotte is now taking on the iconic TCS London Marathon, alongside her boyfriend Sam, to raise vital funds for the BHF's lifesaving research into heart and circulatory conditions.
Charlotte added: "There's no doubt that the research into heart and circulatory diseases made by the BHF helped save Ed's life.
"The marathon has always been something I've wanted to do and now Ed is recovering it feels like the right time to do it. I want to raise awareness of heart transplants in younger people, like Ed, and help highlight why the BHF's research is so important."
This TCS London Marathon, which takes place on Sunday, April 23, Team BHF runners, like Charlotte and Sam, will help fund pioneering research.
For over 60 years, the BHF has funded groundbreaking research that has helped to transform the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart and circulatory diseases. Thanks to research part funded by the BHF, the first successful heart transplant was performed in 1979.
Now up to 200 heart transplants are carried out in the UK each year. But there are still challenges, particularly around the shortage of suitable organ donors.
Karen McDonnell, Senior Events Manager at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said: "We never fail to be inspired by the incredible stories of our supporters, and Charlotte, Sam and Ed are no exception.
"With around 7.6 million people living with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK, every single step our runners take will help power science to find new cures and treatments to save and improve more lives.
"We're extremely grateful for Charlotte and Sam's support and can't wait to cheer them over the finish line."
To help Charlotte and Sam reach their fundraising target, visit their JustGiving pages here and here.
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