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# Grandmother shares story of living with rare lung disease, praises Ipswich Hospital
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/grandmother-shares-story-of-living-with-ipf/
- Published: 2024-10-07T09:25:07.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:33:35.000Z
- Description: Lesley Berry, 74, hopes her story will encourage others with symptoms to seek early medical help after being diagnosed with a rare and serious lung condition in 2020.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Health & Care Services, Grants, Donations & Fundraising, Changemakers, #article, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), Ipswich Hospital, #Import 2026-03-16 14:46

**The big picture:** Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a life-limiting disease that causes lung scarring, making breathing increasingly difficult. It affects around 5,000 people annually in the UK, more than leukaemia, but few people have heard of it.

![Lesley Berry](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1728292919-lesley-berry-1.jpg)

Lesley Berry hopes her story will encourage others with symptoms to seek early medical help after being diagnosed with IPF in 2020

**Why it matters:** Early diagnosis and treatment can help slow the disease's progression, giving patients more quality time with loved ones.

**Key facts:**

- IPF causes lungs to become stiffer and smaller over time
- Prognosis after diagnosis is typically 3-5 years
- Symptoms include persistent cough and increased breathlessness
- Those over 50, with a family history or long-term exposure to smoke/dust, are at higher risk

**What they're saying:** "The illness steals your breath, shrinks your world and makes everyday life a huge challenge," Berry said. "It's like climbing a mountain every single day."

**Between the lines:** Despite the challenges, Lesley praises the care she's received: "The care I've received from the respiratory team at [Ipswich Hospital](https://www.ipswich.co.uk/tag/ipswich-hospital/) has been marvellous, and I can't praise them enough."

**What's next:** Lesley is now raising funds for research to help find a cure. She urges anyone experiencing prolonged breathlessness or persistent cough to consult their GP.

**How to help:** Support Lesley's fundraising efforts here: [https://actionforpulmonaryfibrosis.enthuse.com/pf/lesleyberry](https://actionforpulmonaryfibrosis.enthuse.com/pf/lesleyberry?ref=ipswich.co.uk)

**For more information:** Visit the [NHS website](https://www.nhs.uk/?ref=ipswich.co.uk) or [www.actionpf.org](http://www.actionpf.org/?ref=ipswich.co.uk), or call the Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis support line on 01223 785725.

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