 Tony Ward suffered kidney failure at the age of 33 |
A kidney patient from Cumbria who tackled some of Europe's highest peaks while undergoing dialysis, is recovering after a transplant. Tony Ward, 40, from Ambleside, holds the world record for undergoing altitude dialysis, when he was 4,050 metres up Mount Toubkal in Morocco.
His efforts have raised thousands of pounds for kidney research.
A statement from the National Kidney Research Fund said Mr Ward is recovering at home after a transplant.
Mr Ward suffered kidney failure at the age of 33 and has been on dialysis since 1998.
In 1999, he received a kidney transplant which was unsuccessful and he was offered peritoneal dialysis.
Unlike haemodialysis, a thrice weekly in-centre treatment, peritoneal dialysis (PD) is carried out at home using the lining of the abdomen as a natural filter.
Because of the conditions on the climbs he has undertaken, Mr Ward could not use a machine and had to have assistance to have a manual form of dialysis treatment.
In July 2002 he climbed Mount Blanc, where he conducted dialysis at 4,000 metres, and in May 2003, he cycled from John O'Groats to Land's End as part of the Home to Home Cycle Challenge.
In June 2004, Tony beat his own previous world record for performing a high-altitude dialysis when he climbed 4,050 metres up Mount Toubkal.
A spokeswoman for the National Kidney Research Fund said: "Having raised over �15,000, Tony's super-human fundraising efforts have led to national and international acclaim.
Rejected kidney
"During all this time, Tony has remained on the transplant waiting list, in the hope that a suitable donor could be found. In fact, that donor was closer to home than he could have imagined.
"Although living out in Australia, Tony's brother underwent tests to see if he was a suitable match to donate one of his organs. The tests were successful and Tony's second transplant operation took place on 1 March.
"Although his body initially rejected the kidney and he had to be placed on life support, this time his kidney managed to be saved.
"He is currently recovering at home, but has no plans to put his fundraising expeditions on hold.
"Tony is currently organising a four peaks challenge - to climb all four of Britain's highest mountains and cycling between each one. He is also finalising a very ambitious plan to climb Mount Everest."
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Although his body immediately rejected the kidney and he had to be placed on life support, this time his kidney managed to be saved
