Source: The StarPublished Date: 03 May 2010
A CARING son who gave up one of his kidneys to save his dad from a lifetime of dialysis is set to take on a 10km charity run - just seven weeks after undergoing the operation!
Chris Cannings originally signed up for the Manchester 10K when the transplant procedure for his father Robert was scheduled for January.
Doctors had recommended exercise as a way of helping his recovery, and he decided the run would also be a good opportunity to raise cash for the Kidney Research charity.
But the operation was cancelled twice - first because Chris contracted tonsillitis and then because of an outbreak of the vomiting bug Norovirus on the ward at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield.
The 24-year-old finally underwent the procedure last month and both he and his dad are doing well - although the delay means Chris had just seven weeks to prepare for the May 16 run.
But there was never any doubt the Brinsworth bank worker - who, with 27 team-mates, has set himself the challenge of raising £10,000 for the charity - would be taking part.
He said: "I don't really know what to expect and I'm not sure how my body will react but I am determined to complete the race.
"I would like to run it, but I will walk if I have to. It has gone too far for me to give up now, and I really don't want to let people down."
Chris was equally determined in his mission to donate one of his kidneys to his dad, who had suffered problems for the past 20 years.
Robert, aged 53, was told in November 2008 his kidneys had failed and he was forced to go on dialysis.
That meant severe restrictions on his diet and fluid intake, and saw him hooked up to a machine three times a week for four hours.
Chris said his dad's condition was clearly deteriorating. "He just seemed to be wasting away," he said.
As soon as the family - which includes Chris's mum Jackie and brother Craig - were told Robert's kidneys had failed, Chris requested tests to see if he was compatible.
After various delays because of Robert's condition, he was finally told he was a match just before Christmas.
Chris said: "My dad has always had problems with his kidneys, ever since I could remember, and although it was controlled with medication the doctors told us they couldn't guarantee that would always be the case.
"I always said if the time came I would stand in and be a donor, so when we got the news dad's kidneys had failed, it was just my automatic reaction. I had no reservations - it was my gut instinct."
"The results for my dad have been amazing. He has never felt better since he first started having problems.
"He's got more colour in cheeks, he's not so tired any more, he will be able to arrange to go on holiday again. He is getting his life back."
To help Chris reach his £10,000 target visit www.justgiving.com/ten4tenchallenge
Doctors had recommended exercise as a way of helping his recovery, and he decided the run would also be a good opportunity to raise cash for the Kidney Research charity.
But the operation was cancelled twice - first because Chris contracted tonsillitis and then because of an outbreak of the vomiting bug Norovirus on the ward at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield.
The 24-year-old finally underwent the procedure last month and both he and his dad are doing well - although the delay means Chris had just seven weeks to prepare for the May 16 run.
But there was never any doubt the Brinsworth bank worker - who, with 27 team-mates, has set himself the challenge of raising £10,000 for the charity - would be taking part.
He said: "I don't really know what to expect and I'm not sure how my body will react but I am determined to complete the race.
"I would like to run it, but I will walk if I have to. It has gone too far for me to give up now, and I really don't want to let people down."
Chris was equally determined in his mission to donate one of his kidneys to his dad, who had suffered problems for the past 20 years.
Robert, aged 53, was told in November 2008 his kidneys had failed and he was forced to go on dialysis.
That meant severe restrictions on his diet and fluid intake, and saw him hooked up to a machine three times a week for four hours.
Chris said his dad's condition was clearly deteriorating. "He just seemed to be wasting away," he said.
As soon as the family - which includes Chris's mum Jackie and brother Craig - were told Robert's kidneys had failed, Chris requested tests to see if he was compatible.
After various delays because of Robert's condition, he was finally told he was a match just before Christmas.
Chris said: "My dad has always had problems with his kidneys, ever since I could remember, and although it was controlled with medication the doctors told us they couldn't guarantee that would always be the case.
"I always said if the time came I would stand in and be a donor, so when we got the news dad's kidneys had failed, it was just my automatic reaction. I had no reservations - it was my gut instinct."
"The results for my dad have been amazing. He has never felt better since he first started having problems.
"He's got more colour in cheeks, he's not so tired any more, he will be able to arrange to go on holiday again. He is getting his life back."
To help Chris reach his £10,000 target visit www.justgiving.com/ten4tenchallenge
No comments:
Post a Comment