 | Musician Richard Gates (see photo by Barbara Gates) of Jamaica Plain is a bass player. He is a 57 year old cardiac transplant recipient who started the self-designed Tour de Second Chance on Tuesday, July 29, 2008. The Tour is a 750 mile bike ride from Cleveland, Ohio to Boston, Massachusetts. Richard expects to reach Boston by August 30. |
| He is riding to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation, support the cardiac transplant community and celebrate the athlete he has nurtured with his new donor heart. Partnering with the Donate Life campaign he hopes to encourage people to consider registering to become organ donors. By example, he is also interested in inspiring those with heart disease and living with donor hearts to make positive lifestyle choices and be compliant with their medications and diet. “I understand that there aren’t enough hearts for everyone waiting ”, Richard reflects, “ so since I was fortunate enough to receive one, it seemed the honorable thing to do for myself and my donor’s family to take the best care of myself as possible. When I have a challenging day, I remember that and sometimes that means mustering up extra discipline or restraint in the moment to do the right thing.” Before his transplant Richard was a long-distance runner and ran 12 marathons. He learned he had cardiomyopathy as symptoms started hindering his running. As the cardiomyopathy claimed his strength, he managed his health with vigilant attention to all aspects of his life. His story is one of taking responsibility for being a partner in his healthcare program, not just a patient. Now in his fifth year as a donor heart recipient, Richard wants to share his story and help raise awareness of the importance of organ donation. | |
Laura Vecchione with Richard Gates playing bass at the Paradise Lounge Boston, MA July 21, 2007 | |
| SOURCE: Tour de Second Chance |
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