Hailey Mann, who has cystic fibrosis, was preparing for the end of her life at 24 when the Record stepped in and campaigned for drug to be approved in emergency.
04:30, 23 Mar 2026
Hailey Mann and her fiance Craig Johnston.(Image: Supplied)
A brave young woman who was days from losing her life has celebrated her 30th and found love after a Record campaign for access to a lifesaving drug. We told in 2020 how Hailey Mann, then 24, was dying from cystic fibrosis.
Medics at NHS Grampian had told her there was nothing more they could do for her and to go home and prepare for the end of her life.
But a new miracle drug called Kaftrio was rushed to her home in Aberdeen after we campaigned for it to be approved for emergency use by NHS health bosses. Now Hailey is thriving – and planning the wedding she never thought she would see.
Hailey said: “I didn’t think I would see 30. Kaftrio has worked so well, I didn’t need to go into talks about a lung transplant again. Kaftrio has kept me stable for the last six years.”
Hailey Mann was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis a few days after she was born.(Image: DEREK IRONSIDE / NEWSLINE MEDIA)
While having cystic fibrosis is a life-long condition – and Hailey has only recently been discharged from hospital after battling winter bugs – her life has dramatically improved.
And a new drug Alfaytrek, which will soon be available in Scotland, could improve things even further. A less intensive drugs regimen with fewer side effects and a greater chance of increased lung function could transform even more lives.
Hailey said: “If it can improve my lung function by even one per cent, then sign me up.”
Hailey received the miracle drug in 2020. (Image: www.newsline-media.com)
But this year her thoughts are firmly on her landmark birthday and her forthcoming marriage to fiancé Craig Johnston. On Saturday, 70 of her friends and family gathered together to celebrate her third decade with a themed couples/characters party in which she and Craig took centre-stage as Danny and Sandy from Grease.
Hailey admitted: “I never saw myself getting married. Cystic fibrosis is not something everyone will take on.”
But when Craig entered her life almost two years ago her future began to look very different.
She said: “The last few weeks when I have been quite poorly he has been an absolute rock. He has kept me going. We met through online dating and quite quickly after we got together, he moved in with me and my parents.”
Our front page about Hailey’s plea for the wonder drug
Mum Alison and step- dad Brian were taken into Craig’s confidence when planned to pop the question. Hailey said: “He took me out to Meldrum House and booked dinner in a dome.”
Written in chocolate on a dinner plate was the question from electrician Craig: “Will you marry me?” The first thing Hailey did after saying yes was to FaceTime her parents who were at a Scissor Sisters concert in Glasgow.
She said: “I cried, my mum cried. I was very emotional. But I told them I’d never trust any of them again!”
Craig proposed during a dinner he arranged. (Image: Supplied)
The wedding in July, at the stunning Logie Country House, near Inverurie, will be a real family affair. Not only will Hailey marry the love of her life she will also become step-mum to Craig’s three children Archie, eight, Fredie, six and five-year-old Maizie.
Little Maizie will be her flowergirl with Archie and Fredie playing the role of ring bearers and Hailey’s little sister Maisie, 10, a bridesmaid.
Hailey laughed and added: “My sister is most excited about getting to wear a pair of heels.”
The inspirational young woman has lived most of her life “living every day for the day”. She said: “I couldn’t see a future but I can now.”
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