An East London man who previously has used the Ironman 70.3 triathlon to raise funds for the fight against cancer will be doing the race on Sunday to help a close friend who is desperately in need of a kidney transplant.
Lyle Hansen, 42, the head of sport at Hudson Park Primary, was found to be a blood-type match for his friend, whom he has known since school days.
However, to advance to the next stage of the transplant process, Hansen, who last participated in an Ironman event two years ago, needed to lose weight. After chatting to his wife Kerry and two sons, he decided to once again do the “half”, as it is known by athletes.
He will have to swim a 1.9km loop off Orient Beach, cycle 90km from the Orient Theatre to Berlin and back, and run 21.1km in circuits around the beachfront and up Bunkers Hill.
“I had to undergo a blood pressure test over a 24-hour period. These results have been approved, but I needed to lose between 10 and 14kg.”
Hansen did not wish to disclose the identity of his friend, saying it had “already been a long and difficult process” for him just to find a suitable donor.
His friend’s children were the same age as his own, which he said resonated deeply with his family.
“My goal has been to lose the weight in order to advance to the next stage of the donor process, to raise some funds and to create awareness for the Organ Donor Foundation, to which all funds raised will be donated.”
Hansen will be joined by friend Brendon Corrigan, who will also be competing under Hansen’s Iron Eagle Foundation banner this year.
Hansen formed the foundation to make a difference to Hudson Park Primary pupils, “whether it was in the life of one person or many”. The aim is to remind pupils that with the “5D” principle – dream, direction, determination, discipline and drive – all goals can be attained.
The foundation raises funds for different NPOs in the community.
“He (Corrigan) has been assisting me in raising funds and awareness during this campaign,” Hansen said.
To date, he has competed in three half Ironmans and one full event comprising a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle, and a 42.2km marathon.
“This is the first time I will be able to actually help someone personally in a life-changing effort, whereas before it was merely raising funds for an organisation and not for someone specific.”
Those wishing to make donations to the Iron Eagles Foundation can contact Hansen on 081-248-4323...