Derry father living with incurable cancer shares story of hope after winning gold at Transplant Games

In 2018, Richie Sheerin's world fell apart after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma at just 35 years old.

The Derry man, who has always been a fan of cycling and sports, had been taking part in pre-training with his local GAA club, Seán Dolans, when he picked up what he assumed was a hip injury.

Speaking to Derry News, the father of one explained: “A couple of months went by, and my hip wasn’t getting any better, so I started going to physiotherapy but they couldn't see anything wrong.

“My hip started getting worse and it was really debilitating so I went to the doctors with a suspected hernia but they couldn’t find anything either.

"I was asked to come back to get a blood test to check for other things so I got the bloods done and went home.

"My wee boy wasn't feeling well at the time and I honestly forgot about getting my bloods done.

"My wife Lisa had said if Aedan wasn't getting any better, she was going to take him to the doctors."

Richie with his beloved son, Aedan

Richie would later receive a call as he recalled his heart sank thinking the call was regarding his son's health. Instead it was the call that no one ever wants to receive as a massive tumour had been discovered in his pelvis.

Richie continued: "Tuesday the 28th of March, which is the day I met my wife nine years previous, was the day the phone rang and it was that dreaded suspected diagnosis of multiple myeloma.

"It is the call none of us want but unfortunately a lot of us receive whether it’s us personally or a close relative or friend.

"From that day it was a bit of a roller coaster. I was told I should stop sports and especially cycling given how much risk is associated with Myeloma and bone fractures and I started radiotherapy."

Richie then went on to undergo five weeks of Radiotherapy, six months of Chemotherapy, Chemotherapy drugs, a further three months of Chemotherapy, A Bone Marrow/ Stem Cell Transplant of his own cells, followed by another four months of Chemotherapy.

It was then that Richie would receive a Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant from his brother, Damian. Richie has four brothers, and thankfully Damian was a match.

Richie then went into remission, but only for seven months, before sadly he relapsed in 2020 and the cancer came back.

Richie then had to endure eight more months of Chemotherapy, one week of Radiotherapy and four Donor Lymphocyte (T-Cells) infusions.

Thankfully, after his immense feat, Richie is currently still in remission and has been for the last year, the longest he has been in remission since his diagnosis.

Richie lives with incurable cancer but wants people to know that there is life after diagnosis.

"During my treatment I was constantly told to know my limits and accept a new normal, but when you’re told you can’t do something or when I am told my inner Irish thranness comes out. I don’t think there is a better word for mental toughness than “Thranness”.

"My mental medicine was cycling, it allowed me to escape normality whether it was for 20 mins or multiple hours and in return was helping me recover physically as you can see from the previous slide there are many shapes to a cancer patient so exercise is a must."

Richie wants to encourage others and raise awareness of not only organ and stem cell donation, which saved his life, but the Transplant Games- a non-profit organisation that aims to promote amateur sport amongst organ transplant recipients, living donors and donor families.

Richie said: "My consultant could see how cycling was helping my recovery and asked me if I knew about the Transplant Games, and I hadn’t.

"I don’t think anyone does unless they are a recipient or a donor. He gave me the contact details and I got signed up for the British Transplant games representing Transplant Sport NI in Leeds in July 2022.

"I had come off Chemo in December 2021 and went into remission in April 2022 and pleased to say I am still cancer free; so Leeds came at a good time as I was feeling less lethargic and could increase my training.

"I didn't know what to expect but I went to Leeds and won the games in the Road Race and Time Trial setting the fastest time amongst all the categories and this got me a spot on the GBNI Team for the Worlds.

"That was something that I did train for as it was on the big stage. My recovery is a lot slower than most and especially having a baby’s immune system after transplant, so I was careful not to over train.

"I went to Perth in Australia for the World Games and I came away with two Bronze medals and a Gold in the team race."

When well enough to do so, Richie has also been cycling indoors with a ‘virtual’ team spread across Ireland known as Racing Without Borders.

The team started with only a few members during lockdown, helping those with a wide variety of illnesses including cancer and mental health issues, and now thousands of people have joined.

Richie (right) showing his medals to Mayor Duffy with Kevin Bell from Transport Sport NI

Richie hopes to encourage people to take part in the games, not only for the physical benefits, but the mental and emotional support too as everyone shares what Richie describes as "war stories" and provide invaluable advice and hope of recovery.

Richie hopes to spread hope for others currently battling cancer, who have just received a diagnosis or those in remission.

He added: "It has been a crazy five years but good has come of it," said Richie, "I am living proof that your diagnosis doesn't have to mean you are down and out. There is hope."