Celebrating a second chance at life
Heart transplant recipient to compete in Vancouver Canadian Transplant Games
Three years ago, if you had told Mike Primeau he would be hopping a plane to the other side of the country to compete in a national sporting event, chances are he wouldn’t have believed you.
Neither would his family and his friends.
However, in a few short weeks he’ll be travelling to Vancouver to do just that, competing not just in one sport, but three.
What’s changed? To put it simply, everything.
Two years ago, the St. Catharines man found himself on the brink of death after having had a heart attack in 2015. He needed a heart transplant if he was going to survive, and on July 24, 2016, that gift of life came through.
Now, the 61-year-old has been working his way to recovery and is ready to try something new: competing in the Vancouver 2018 Canadian Transplant Games.
“When he was in the hospital, the (2016) Games were going on at the time — in Toronto — so we heard about it then, and there were signs everywhere,” said Primeau’s wife, Fran, who will be accompanying him to the event.
Taking place July 2 to 7 at The University of British Columbia (UBC) campus, the national sporting event is the ultimate showcase of the power of organ donation. He will be competing in golf, bowling and lawn bowling.
Describing himself as a so-so golfer, an inexperienced bowler, and a complete rookie at lawn bowling, Primeau said this is all about the experience for him.
“It’s something to do, and it’ll be great to get away for a bit,” he said, adding they haven’t travelled since his heart transplant.
In fact, it was only recently that he was able to take up golfing again. He had to wait until his body was ready for it. Now, he hits the links with his sons Andrew and Jason to train for the upcoming Games.
Operated by the Canadian Transplant Association, the Canadian Transplant Games are held every two years and are open to transplant recipients of all ages from across the country. More than 300 athletes, living donors, donor family members and supporters will be present for this year’s event.
“The Transplant Games provide an avenue where recipients are able to showcase the power of organ donation. It is about unifying the entire transplant community. It is a realm where families of donors, recipients, doctors and nurses can come together and appreciate the gift of a second chance,” said Primeau. “I am so grateful that I was given a second chance in life to spend it with my family, and also so grateful to the donor’s family that made this possible.”
In addition to being an athletic celebration of sport for transplant recipients, the Games also serve as a reminder to Canadians to register as organ donors.
In Canada, 1,600 people are added to the waiting list for an organ donation every year.
“The important thing to remember is you are far more likely to need an organ than be in a position to donate,” said Brenda Brown, Games manager. “When you see what these recipients have been able to do with their second chances, it just affirms the importance of organ donation.”