Nurse's ultra-challenge for organ donor families

Hull nurse Joanna Pancarowicz says her first ultra-marathon will take her out of her comfort zone

A Hull nurse is planning her first ultra-marathon to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation.

Joanna Pancarowicz, a specialist nurse at Hull Royal Infirmary, plans to take on the Five Valleys Ultra Challenge in the Lake District, which covers a distance of 34 miles (54.7km), with an elevation gain of 7,545ft (2,300m).

"The furthest I've run before is a half marathon, but I like to challenge myself and this takes me out of my comfort zone," she said.

"I'm running in honour of the families of donors who go through such immense pain to make decisions to help others."

Joanna, who has worked with the organ donation team since 2023, is undertaking the challenge on 27 September as part of Organ Donation Week.

According to Hull Universities Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, 16 families from across the region consented to organ donation between April 2024 and February 2025.

Additionally, 20 families agreed to tissue and ocular donation following their loved one's death.

"The families show immense courage to agree to organ donation," Ms Pancarowicz added.

The Five Valleys Ultra Challenge starts in Ambleside and finishes in Keswick.

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