My career journey was not easy but I sailed through, with my dedication and determination towards my work. Thanks to all support from colleagues, patients, friends and family of Harefield hospital.

I came to Royal Brompton hospital in July 2001 via a scholarship by Indian High Commission in London. I worked in various departments in Brompton and gained valuable experience in transplants and ventricular assist devices (VADs) at Harefield. With my hardship and enthusiasm, the senior nurses from ITU at Harefield gave me an opportunity to progress my career in cardiothoracic nursing in which I also had a diploma specialisation from India. I commenced working in Intensive care unit at Harefield after completing my scholarship period and in my 19 years of career, progressed gradually towards my current role as a clinical nurse specialist - a part of the advanced nursing team. Currently, I am also doing a Masters programme offered by the trust which is like a dream come true!

Harefield Hospital is my family, my second home! Everybody knows most of the people and are working here for many years. Right from porters and healthcare assistants to the directors, are very welcoming and always happy to help each other through care and compassion to make a difference in someone’s life.

In support of our very own Charity, I am fundraising towards the Harefield Transplant Appeal by running a few half marathons and the world famous Virgin Money London Marathon too. I am preparing myself to run those painstaking 26.2miles in April. When I started training for the marathon, it was not easy at all but “positive mindset” and “can do attitude” is helping me to overcome any negative hurdles. Therefore, even with two injuries which set back my training, I can visualise myself achieving my goals and running those marathons successfully.

Right now, almost 200 people of all ages are awaiting a life-changing phone call from Harefield Hospital to receive either a heart or a lung or both! To keep these donated organs viable for up to 12 hours, I am fundraising for Organ Care Systems (OCS) which means our patients can receive these organs in the best possible condition even though we need to retrieve them as far as Scotland. Your generous donation will greatly help us to fund these to make a difference in those who are desperately waiting for that one phone call!

To donate to Vaishali's fundraising page, click here.