A Stonehouse cyclist who received a double transplant will be taking part in the British Transplant Games in August.
Adrian Heeley, 58 from Stonehouse will be part of the first Gloucestershire team to compete in the British Transplant Games on August 1.
After his kidneys started failing, Adrian was put on dialysis for almost four years. On 30 July 2023 he received a kidney and pancreas transplant which has transformed his life.
Prior to his transplant, undergoing three 4-hour dialysis sessions weekly at the Cotswold Dialysis Unit at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital was a lifeline but also incredibly difficult.
Adrian now no longer needs dialysis nor the insulin treatment for his diabetes that he had for over 40 years.
Adrian said: “The Gloucestershire Kidney Patients Association (GKPA) supported me and my wife through this challenging time, providing practical and emotional support and financial advice.
“Thanks to the selfless decision of my donor and their family, my life has dramatically changed.”
He now works as a Kitchen Manager at Gloucester Services, is getting back into cycling and looking forward to competing at the British Transplant Games in Nottingham.
Talking about his motivations for entering the games, Adrian said he wanted to give something back to the renal unit at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and raise awareness of Chronic Kidney Disease, dialysis treatment, the transplant wait, the overwhelming gratitude of receiving one, and the vital support provided by the GKPA.
