Engelbert Schmidl
LIFE is precious, and Gus Mondo celebrates the fact by competing in the Transplant Games.
The 66-year-old athlete and concreter from East Keilor went through a life-changing heart transplant in 1989.
A severe viral infection of the heart muscle meant the transplant was his only chance of staying alive.
“I went in happy. Whatever happens, happens.
“ I had my wife with me, we said our goodbyes and I had the operation,” Mr Mondo recalled.
And six months after the operation he ran in the City-to-Surf fun run – powered through the streets of Sydney by the beat of a new heart.
The extraordinary Mr Mondo has competed in the famed race an incredible 11 times.
“When you are given a second chance at life, you don’t hold back,” said Mark Cocks, CEO of Transplant Australia.
“We have approximately 3500 people today waiting for an organ or tissue transplant, and the Games have proven to be the most successful way yet to reach the general public, and raise awareness of the critical need for organ and tissue donation,” he said.
Mr Cocks said donor families and competitors walk together in a show of support and solidarity during the opening ceremony and street parade, which is always an emotional highlight of the Games.
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Games events range from athletics to chess.
Mr Mondo, a five-time gold medallist at the International Transplant Games, is competing in several events including lawn and ten-pin bowls and the 5km walk.
These days, he steers clear of the more strenuous events.
“I used to do a lot of athletics. I don’t do any sprints anymore,” he said.
The 66-year-old has travelled the world as a Games participant.
He recalls friends he has made and reflects on his good fortune.
Some who had transplant operations when he did have died from complications often caused by organ rejection.
Medical advances mean fewer cases of rejection happen now.
Australia has an ‘opt-in’ organ and tissue donation system, requiring people to stipulate they are organ donors. Some other countries have the opposite system, where people are required to ‘opt-out’ of donating.
In both cases, the potential donor’s next of kin is consulted.
Transplantation of organs, tissues and cells successfully treats chronic illnesses including heart, lung, liver and kidney disease, diabetes, leukemia, lymphoma, some forms of blindness, as well as burns and bone defects.
This year is the 10th anniversary of the Games, which are open to adult and children transplant recipients and dialysis patients.
The Australian Transplant Games take place from September 16 to 23 in Geelong.
Further information is available at the Transplant Australia website: www.transplant.org.au
