Heart swap op man's medals haul at UK Transplant Games

Aug 11 2009 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

In December 2007, Kez was given antibiotics for a chest infection but a few months later he was no better and started coughing up blood.

He was diagnosed with pneumonia in both of his lungs and doctors found he was suffering from cardiomyopathy – a weakening of the heart muscle.

His condition deteriorated and he was admitted to Sunderland Royal Hospital before being transferred to Newcastle's Freeman Hospital, where he underwent his transplant.

“I was out of hospital and back home after 19 days. It was about four months after I started training with Tony Livingstone and the Blaydon Harriers. He’s been brilliant and I’d like to say a big thank you to him.”

Kez now has now set his sights on the European Transplant Games in Sweden next year and the World Transplant Games in two years time.

The British Transplant Games were set up by a transplant surgeon in Portsmouth in 1978 and are organised BY Transplant Sport UK.

Around 100 transplant patients took part in the first Games but over the past 30 years the Games have grown to a four-day annual event for more than 600 competitors.

There have been 15 host cities through the years, including Newcastle.

To register as an organ donor, visit www.uktransplant.co.uk  or call 0845 60 60 400.