A WIDOWER from Ogwell is raising awareness of a fatal lung condition.

Peter Farrell is backing the Every Breath Counts campaign which is aimed at highlighting pulmonary fibrosis.

This month the national charity, Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis has launched the campaign sharing the personal stories behind pulmonary fibrosis, a terminal lung condition with an average survival rate of just three to five years.

Peter’s wife Jane was diagnosed with the condition in early 2023 and died in late 2024.

He said: ‘Following her diagnosis, she did all she could to foster awareness about the disease despite her deteriorating health.

‘She took part in several pieces of research to learn more about the deadly disease, volunteered for drug trials, and started a support group for local patients with help from Torbay Hospital.’

Now Peter, who is continuing to work with the local support group, wants to make more people aware of the disease.

The group in Torbay meets every other month and attendance gets bigger as more people are getting diagnosed, and hearing about us.

Peter explained: ‘It is a more common and more deadly disease than many cancers but most people have never heard of it.’

Currently precious time is lost as many people ignore early symptoms, and surveys have shown that a third of people going to their doctor are still waiting more than a year for a clear diagnosis, which further delays identification of targeted support and treatment.

About 70,000 people are living with the disease now in the UK and many more may be unaware they have it in its early stages.

The campaign is aimed at raising awareness and calling for improvements in diagnosis, care and support, including research into an eventual cure.

It not only affects the individual patient but also close family and friends.

As the cause of most cases is unknown, there is also a concern it could strike other family members.

Pulmonary fibrosis is scar tissue in the lungs which affects how the lungs function.

Common symptoms can include: shortness of breath, dry cough, tiredness, unexplained weight loss and clubbing of fingers and toes.

Former Mayor of Dawlish Howard Almond was diagnosed with the same condition in 2015 and has taken part in clinical trials and research into the disease.

He runs the Exeter support group and a Whats App group for the south west.

There is currently no cure for the disease but there are treatments available to slow the rate of further scarring and to manage the symptoms.

The charity Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis helps support people living with the disease and research into effective treatment and eventually a cure.

More information is available from the charity at www.actionpf.org