Vincenzo Rizzi -- Italy

Age: 59

Transplant: Heart, 1990

Hometown: Milan, Italy

Events: Cycling

Vincenzo's Story: In 1983, at Niguarda Hospital in Milan, my aorta was replaced with a biological valve. The advantages of the operation were not very long-lasting, and in 1987, I had to undergo another operation to substitute the biological valve with a mechanical valve.

Despite this operation, my heart condition continued to deteriorate, and in 1990, I was advised to make all the necessary tests in preparation for a heart transplant. Unfortunately, my state of health declined rapidly and the doctors were forced to consider me an urgent case to be given absolute priority should a compatible organ become available.

The heart arrived and I was operated upon.

Rehabilitation after the operation was far from easy, but my strong constitution and the will to live were fundamental. It's not easy for me to express my emotions during the months that followed the transplant. My body was so weak that I had to learn how to walk again, and my mind was so fatigued that I had trouble expressing concepts. But I didn't give up, and very slowly, with the help of doctors, nursing staff, and especially my wife, I began to improve. When I was strong enough, I started working again and doing sport, concentrating on what had always been my favourite sport: CYCLING. Fear, anxiety and fatigue just melt away when I FLY along on my bike, and these are the results:

From 1993 to 1997 -- Five times Italian Champion (Gold medal)
1994 -- European Champion -- Helsinki (Gold medal)
1995 -- Bronze medal - World Championships - Manchester (G.B.)
1996 - 5 Gold medal (1 Cycling, 4 Athletics)
           European Championships - Lausanne, Switzerland

My Message to the World: Each time I cross the finishing line, I feel more alive, more active, and, above all, I thank God and all those who have been close to me in these years, and helped me through the hardest moments. I want the whole world to know that a transplant means LIFE.

 

Last modified: 11 May 2000