In short:
Point Cook’s Trevor Cooke has gone from relying on a wheelchair to getting back on his bike after a life-saving heart and kidney transplant. The 58-year-old is now preparing to compete at the Australian Transplant Games in Launceston from 26 September.
Ultimate Test Of Body And Mind
Six years after illness left him bedridden and relying on a wheelchair, Point Cook’s Trevor Cooke is back on his bike and preparing to compete on a national stage.
The 58-year-old was diagnosed with the rare blood disorder AL Amyloidosis, which severely damaged his heart and kidneys and eventually left him needing both organs transplanted.
At his lowest, everyday tasks became difficult, he said.
“The excitement some days of actually getting out of bed and having a shower, texting my wife at work to say I’ve had a shower.”
After years of appointments and uncertainty, Trevor finally received his diagnosis, only to be told his prognosis could be as little as three months.
“The days and weeks that followed I discovered what ‘dark days’ actually meant.”
As his condition deteriorated, doctors began considering a combined heart and kidney transplant, something Trevor initially struggled to believe could happen.
“All through the transplant workups, friends and family were more optimistic while I still refused to believe.”
In 2025, Trevor became the first person in Victoria with AL Amyloidosis to successfully undergo a combined heart and kidney transplant.
The call he had once thought would never come arrived at 10pm. By 7am the following morning, he was in theatre.
“A miracle happened.”
Recovery involved another demanding period. For the first three months after leaving hospital, Trevor travelled from Point Cook to The Alfred almost every weekday, and some weekends, for blood tests, biopsies, scans and rehabilitation.
As his condition improved, he began pushing himself further during rehabilitation.
“I’d push myself in the gym, when the instructor wasn’t looking, adding an extra weight or two or add a few more reps.”
Eventually he was able to walk unaided, take the dog out and return to something he had missed throughout his illness: cycling.
He started with short rides around the block on his mountain bike before progressing to rides along the Bay Trail on his road bike.
That progress has now taken him to the Australian Transplant Games in Launceston, where he will compete for the first time from 26 September to 3 October.
“I’ll be pushing as hard as possible so we’ll see if I can reach my own expectations, but I’m just over the moon I’ve been given this second chance in life and able to participate in such an amazing event like this.”
Away from competition, Trevor is focused on raising awareness of amyloidosis, early detection and organ donation. He is also preparing to publish his memoir, HOPE, with proceeds to be donated to the Australian Amyloidosis Network.
“It seems this is the reason I’ve been given this second chance. It’s now my passion and something I feel I must do.”
