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Local making the most of a second chance at life
Competing on a world stage never crossed her mind but for Cranbrook resident Heather Hockley that is exactly what happened.
While most Canadians enjoyed fireworks and local bands this Canada Day, Heather had the honour of representing Canada at the 21st World Transplant Games in Malaga, Spain.
Even before the fireworks in Canada started for the 150-year celebration, Team Canada proudly took part in the gala evening and closing ceremony after what was an amazing week of competition and developing new friendships.
Adjusting to the extreme heat with temperatures around 37-40 C was one of the most difficult obstacles to overcome. It was also a little intimidating when some teams had their coaches along side the athletes, stated Heather.
But Heather’s health has not always allowed her to be as active.
Once struggling to survive to live a normal life due to kidney failure, she had to preform daily dialysis to keep her alive. Three years later she received her life-changing gift. A cadaver donor provided her with a kidney that forever changed her life.
While Heather herself did not receive any medals, Canada placed 12th out of the 52 participating countries. “Just being here was a great adventure,” said Heather. “Meeting so many athletes who all had come face-to- face with death, and yet through organ donation are now living a healthy active lifestyle; that is what it really is all about.”
Heather will continue to train in the coming months to attend the Canadian Transplant Games in 2018 and with hopes to again attend the next world games in Newcastle, England in 2019.
Please register your wishes to be an organ donor there are so many more people waiting for a second chance. Living donors are always needed as well.
“I have a friend in Vancouver who is patiently waiting for her chance and hopes that a kidney donation will be part of her near future so she too can participate in the next transplant games,” Heather said.
For more information please contact [email protected] or register at BC Transplant.
Lead image: Team Canada 2017 for the World Transplant Games. Photos submitted
Submitted
