Patsy Ruff; Received a Successful Double-Lung Transplant

Patsy Ruff, 56, who received one of the world’s first successful double-lung transplants 13 years ago. Ruff developed chronic emphysema after smoking cigarettes for 22 years and was unable to go anywhere without an oxygen tank before her transplant in 1987. She raised the $200,000 for the transplant through donations from her Alabama community, beginning with $1,000 from her church, $750 from Alabama state troopers and $500 from inmates of a women’s prison. The lungs, still strong and healthy at her death, came from a 12-year-old Hamilton, Ontario, boy killed in a bicycle accident. Ruff worked to repay her financial donors by doing community volunteer work. She also worked extensively for the American Lung Assn., warning about the dangers of smoking. After her transplant, Ruff undertook a strict exercise program using a treadmill, bicycling and stretching. Although the transplant was considered extremely successful, Ruff was gradually weakened by the effect of anti-rejection drugs on her kidneys. On Thursday in Montgomery, Ala., of renal failure.