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Until 2010, Adrian had been leading a fit and active lifestyle with no indications of heart disease.
Then one morning, after cycling to the station to catch the train to work as usual, his heart went into ventricular fibrillation, a life-threatening condition and the most frequent cause of sudden cardiac death.
Incredibly, a Transperth employee named Angelo, who was at the station knew what to do and kept Adrian alive until an ambulance could arrive.
Adrian left the hospital several weeks later with an implanted defibrillator but a hereditary heart condition caused his heart health to deteriorate in the years that followed.
As the years went on Adrian felt he was getting more unfit, he lacked vitality and struggled to even work part -time. It wasn’t until 2020 that doctors estimated Adrian’s ‘old’ heart would last just another six to 12 months.
With thanks to the team at Fiona Stanley Hospital, Adrian underwent a successful five-hour heart transplant in 2020.
His new heart has enabled him to get back to the activities and people he loves, including his wife and their blended family of five children and eight grandchildren, and his volunteer work with prisoners through Prison Fellowship.
He also swims and goes to the gym, produces programs for community radio station Vision Australia Radio, and gives talks to community groups about heart health and his “live healthy” outlook.
Each time the 73 year old now cycles around the streets of Perth, he gives an extra special thanks to the new heart that’s made it possible.
Adrian looks forward to taking part in the Breaths and Beats Ride for the third time, joining the many riders and volunteers who not only raise much-needed funds to further transplant research, but who also make the ride such a great community event.