Twelve organ transplant recipients are braving the Cape Town Cycle Tour to celebrate a second chance at life!
Cape Town, South Africa (3 March 2020) – On Sunday, 8 March 2020, twelve very special South Africans will form part of the 30 000 cyclists from all over the world that will do the Cape Town Cycle Tour.
#TeamTransplant are all recipients of life-saving organ transplants, and by taking on the 109 km Cape Town Cycle Tour, they are attempting to create awareness around organ donation and transplantation in South Africa and show what can be achieved after an organ transplant.
The 12 cyclists consist out of seven kidney recipients, two heart recipients and three bone marrow/stem cell recipients. Most of these cyclists have triumphed after their transplants and are now living life to the fullest after being given a second chance at life.
“Bradley Arendse, a kidney recipient from Malmesbury, is only four months post-transplant and already fit enough to take on the Cape Town Cycle Tour. Arendse entered the Cycle Tour before his kidney transplant, and it was his dream to complete in the biggest timed cycle race in the world on 8 March 2020. After his local newspaper did an article about him, a total stranger from Riebeeck West decided to sponsor him with a proper road bike, and he is now determined to complete the race in a good time and show what can be achieved after the life-saving operation.
Another member of the team, Melda Ruiters, had a bone marrow/stem cell transplant and has run a number of half marathons since her operation. She is doing her first Cape Town Cycle Tour this weekend and will now be putting another great achievement to her bucket list.”
All the cyclists are members of the South African Transplant Sports Association (SATSA) and will be competing at the South African Transplant Games in Pretoria in June this year. The Association aims to help organ recipients to stay active and healthy through sport and physical activity.
#TeamTransplant consist of the following members:
- Bradley Arendse, Kidney recipient
- Gerhard van Dyk, Heart recipient
- Henk Goris, Kidney recipient
- Pierre Potgieter, Bone marrow/stem cell recipient
- Prince Kgomo, Kidney recipient
- Rentia le Roux, Kidney recipient
- Rory Newkirk, Kidney recipient
- John Connell, Kidney recipient
- Mark Agnew, Heart recipient
- Melda Ruiters, Bone marrow/stem cell recipient
- Michael Bradfield, Kidney recipient
- Vivian de Klerk, Bone marrow/stem cell recipient
#TeamTransplant are riding this Cape Town Cycle Tour to show the world what can be achieved after a life-saving organ transplant.
It is proof of the success of organ donation in our country and how a transplant can change someone’s life.
Many of the cyclists use opportunities like the Cycle Tour to pay tribute to their donors and their donor families and motivate people to register as organ donors. Without the gift of organ donation, none of the twelve cyclists would have had the opportunity to hear “Hoopla! On Sunday, 8 March 2020.
For more information about Organ Donation in South Africa, visit the TELL Foundation or Organ recipients who wish to find out more about Transplant Sports can visit our website at www.transplantsports.org.za
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