The Greatness Within

Hi everyone, thank you for taking the time to read my story,

If you have been following my journey so far, you will know that I have recieved a double lung transplant in 2016 , six months after being diagnosed with IPF (Idiopathic Plumonary Fibrosis) an incurable and terminal lung disease. I will always think of my three siblings who passed away in infancy with the same condition and they never got this incredible chance of life I have been giving. For this reason I decided to raise awareness for organ donation and to honour my unknown hero, my donor by completing the Six World Marathon Majors. Having completed New York, Berlin and London my plans were severely interrupted in 2021 when I contracted Covid 19. I was extremely sick, placed into a medically induced coma for several weeks to give my body a chance to recover. I also had to gather up the strength to say my good byes, (before being put into the Coma for 3 weeks), to the most important people in my life my family, "I have never felt so afraid". Hospital staff work extremely hard to save my life yet again and thankfully after over 3 months in hospital I was discharged home into the care of my family. My body had taken a huge hit. I lost 60% of my lung capacity and 100% of my kidney function which resulted in being put on dialysis 3 times a week. This whole ordeal took a massive toll on me and especially my family. Thankfully our strength and resilience carried us through and slowly I recovered enough to be placed on the transplant list for a kidney. Three years of being on dialysis ended when my wife Katie bravely decided to donate her kidney to me in July 2024. The odds of my amazing wife matching up to be able to donate a kidney to me was extremely long but sometimes life does things that shape your path in life that are unexplainable. It was a wonderful gift which benefited both me and our family which will never be forgotten.

It gave me a new lease of life and the freedom that detached me from the hospital machines three days a week. It allowed me to DREAM again and make plans again. This has encouraged me to try continue my wish of completing the next marathon of the super six world majors. It will be the hardest task i have set for myself, but I'm determined to give it my best and complete the Chicago marathon on October 12th 2025. Albeit with the nessaery help of oxygen, which my team will help take the heavy lifting of carrying a oxygen concentrator for the air my lungs are missing. I have plenty of good people around me, amazing family, unwavering friends and lots of supportive medical staff, guiding me and encouraging me. I will of course be thinking of all the people who have inspired me and helped me along the way.

I’m raising money to benefit The Irish Lung Fibrosis Association: (ILFA) provides research, education, advocacy and support for Lung Fibrosis patients and their families. Lung Fibrosis, also called pulmonary fibrosis, is a serious and life-limiting lung condition.

Thank you in advance for your contribution to this charity that has supported me and countless others on our journrey with IPF