Four years ago, Rebecca Berry couldn’t walk a metre without assistance.
Next month, the Altona Meadows double lung transplant recipient will cycle 600 kilometres from Warrnambool to Melbourne as part of the Tour de Transplant.
By her side will be her fiance, David Floyd, who was her carer before she had her transplant.
Ms Berry, 31, received a transplant in 2012, seven years after being diagnosed with an acute lung disease.
Before the transplant, she was unable to dress or shower herself and relied on an oxygen tank to breathe.
Ms Berry said she was determined not to take her second chance for granted and wanted to help others.
The ride aims to raise $150,000 for the Second Chance Accommodation Program, which provides post-surgery apartments near The Alfred hospital for heart and lung transplant families.
Children in Australia needing heart and lung transplants must come to The Alfred, as do adult transplant patients from Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory and southern NSW.
Following surgery, transplant recipients and their carers are required to spend three months in a rehabilitation program at the hospital but must find accommodation.
Ms Berry will be doing the Tour de Transplant in honour of her late friend, Annie.
Ms Berry said the Second Chance program wasn’t around for Annie, who lived three hours from Melbourne.
“We’re riding for a dear friend who passed away 18 months after her lung transplant,” she said. “She was unable to use the accommodation because it wasn’t available at the time.
“So we’re riding for her and others so they are able to use the accommodation program if needed. I’m hoping to raise $2500, which is enough for one family to stay for three months.”
The tour, led by cycling legend Phil Anderson, will run from March 2 to 6.
At any given time, there are more than 1600 people waiting for transplants in Australia. Details: www.tourdetransplant.org.au
