Wauchope man Steve Searson is training hard to swim for Australia at the World Transplant Games in Spain, and he’s hoping the help of the community will help his dream come true.
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His kidneys failed when he was just 20, which required him to go on dialysis three times a week for almost five years.
It was challenging at first, but then finally a family friend donated a kidney to him.
“The difference before and after is incomparable,” Searson said.
“I’d been very sick, in and out of hospital, with uncontrollable blood pressure, was always tired and not allowed to drink too much fluid.
“Life was really difficult for me and the family. It’s nearly 11 years since I had the transplant and my life is amazing.”
He still keeps in touch with the donor, who is in great health too.
And Steve got married to wife Yvonne and they have a family of three lovely children, two boys and a girl, aged five, four and two.
“Without the transplant, I might not be here, let alone have children,” he conceded.
He said dialysis pinned you to a machine, where your blood was cleaned which “just kept you alive.”
“Since the transplant, it’s been wonderful. I’m able to live my life and enjoy my time with my family.”
Searson has already appeared in the World Transplant Games. In 2009 he experienced his first games on the Gold Coast, and said it was a real eye-opener.
Life was really difficult for me and the family. It’s nearly 11 years since I had the transplant and my life is amazing.
- Steve Searson
“It felt amazing being surrounded by other people who had had life-saving organ donations.
“Some had more than one organ transplant, like heart and lungs. I felt quite humbled.”
Searson was also thrilled to be swimming for his country.
“To wear the Australian blazer and walk in with the rest of the Australian team made me very proud. The music was playing, the flags were flying and it really felt quite special.”
He won three bronze medals and says he felt very proud, standing on the podium, with the flags behind him.
“The relay was really special, doing it with my team-mates. I’m trying to get to the next games, in Malaga in Spain at the end of June, and my kids will be able to cheer me on.”
“My training is really kicking off. I do the parkrun in Wauchope and train at the Wauchope Fitness Centre and I’ll be swimming at the Wauchope pool when it opens.
Steve grew up in Dunbogan, spent a few years in West Haven, then Goulburn for a while, then Port Macquarie and finally Wauchope.
To raise the money to get to Spain, Steve has set up a Facebook page called My Journey to the World Transplant Games and a crowdfunding account http://www.gofundme.com/2cxa7nw.