A New Breath, A New Life: Clare Dowling’s Journey After a Double Lung Transplant
When Clare Dowling was just 19 years old, she received a gift that changed the trajectory of her entire life — a double lung transplant. It was 2010, and although the surgery gave her a new chance at life, the road ahead was anything but easy. Clare had to relearn how to breathe, walk, and simply exist without constant medical intervention. But step by step, she pushed forward.
Today, Clare lives in San Francisco, only a short walk from the medical center she considers her second home. Every six weeks she returns to UCSF for IVIg treatment, a routine she accepts with remarkable grace. “Nine years after my transplant, this is just part of the journey,” she says. “A small price to pay for the life I have now.”
Facing Post-Transplant Challenges
For transplant patients, the fear of rejection — when the body attacks the new organ — is always present. For Clare, the anxiety surrounding any sign of rejection has been one of the toughest emotional hurdles.
“There’s always that fear,” she explains. “Rejection is real, and it’s something that can end a transplant patient’s life. But I’ve learned to take things one step at a time.”
Despite early complications, Clare considers herself fortunate. Most of her post-transplant years have gone smoothly, and she’s determined not to let fear overshadow her gratitude.
Balancing Health With Young Adulthood
While Clare cherishes her second chance at life, navigating adulthood with a chronic medical condition hasn’t been simple.
After her transplant, she moved back home, using a wheelchair and even braces to relearn how to walk. As she regained her independence, new challenges arose — work, insurance, medical bills, and the responsibility of staying healthy.
“It’s a lot to juggle,” she admits. “You want to live your best life, travel, chase your dreams, and enjoy the second chance you’ve been given. But at the same time, you have to work full-time to keep your insurance. You have to take care of your body like it’s your job.”
Over the years, Clare has learned to manage the delicate balance of career, health, and personal goals. She’s not perfect, she says — but she’s proud of how far she’s come.
Supported Every Step of the Way
Throughout her journey, Clare says the UCSF transplant team has been her anchor.
“I don’t know where I’d be without them,” she says. “I call them constantly — sometimes more than once about the same thing — and they always answer with patience and kindness.”
From her IVIg team to her transplant specialists, everyone at UCSF has played a crucial role in keeping her healthy and confident.
Finding Hope and Healing in Everyday Moments
In the beginning, Clare struggled to accept her new reality. Her wheelchair, braces, and months of rehabilitation felt like an abrupt shift from her old life.
To cope, she returned to the things she loved — school, horses, and time with friends. Anything that reminded her she was more than just a patient.
“So much of my life was medical numbers — blood pressure, oxygen stats — and I needed to focus on who I was outside of that,” she says.
Now that she has found her rhythm again, Clare enjoys looking ahead: planning vacations, thinking about new hobbies, and focusing on experiences that bring joy.
Looking Toward the Future
For Clare, the next chapter is all about living intentionally.
She’s excited to stand beside her sister as maid of honor, celebrate close friends, travel to places she’s always dreamed of, and savor meaningful moments with the people she loves.
“Transplant gave me a chance to build a new life,” she says. “I want to explore the world, meet new people, eat great food, and become the happiest version of myself.”
Her goals aren’t extravagant — they’re human, heartfelt, and full of gratitude. And after everything she’s survived, that’s more than enough.
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