UVic Alumnus Simon Keith Celebrates 40 Years with Donor Heart
His foundation has raised and distributed more than $10 million, and he recently sponsored transplant athletes in Canada and the United States.
- On July 7, Simon Keith marked exactly 40 years since his first life-saving heart transplant, joining an exclusive club where more people have walked on the moon than have lived four decades with a donor heart.
- Myocarditis struck Keith at 21, forcing him to seek a new heart. On July 7, 1986, he received a transplant from a 17-year-old donor in Wales who also played soccer.
- Keith became the first professional athlete to compete with a transplanted heart, returning to the pitch after surgery to play for the University of Victoria, Cleveland Crunch, Winnipeg Fury, and Montreal Supra.
- In 2011, Keith launched The Simon Keith Foundation, which has raised more than $10 million across Canada and the United States to support families of children undergoing transplants. He received a second heart and kidney in 2019.
- The foundation recently sponsored every Canadian and American child competing at the Transplant Games, honoring donor families. "Every heartbeat since has been a gift," Keith said, reflecting on his milestone.
13 Articles
13 Articles
UVic alumnus Simon Keith celebrates 40 years with donor heart - Creston Valley Advance
More people have walked on the moon than have lived four decades with a donor heart. On July 7, Simon Keith joined that exclusive club, marking exactly 40 years since his first life-saving transplant. Long before he became the first athlete in the world to play professional sports after a heart transplant, Keith grew up in Greater Victoria. He played youth soccer with the Lower Island Youth Soccer Association before suiting up for the Prospect L…
UVic alumnus Simon Keith celebrates 40 years with donor heart - Grand Forks Gazette
More people have walked on the moon than have lived four decades with a donor heart. On July 7, Simon Keith joined that exclusive club, marking exactly 40 years since his first life-saving transplant. Long before he became the first athlete in the world to play professional sports after a heart transplant, Keith grew up in Greater Victoria. He played youth soccer with the Lower Island Youth Soccer Association before suiting up for the Prospect L…
UVic alumnus Simon Keith celebrates 40 years with donor heart - Vanderhoof Omineca Express
More people have walked on the moon than have lived four decades with a donor heart. On July 7, Simon Keith joined that exclusive club, marking exactly 40 years since his first life-saving transplant. Long before he became the first athlete in the world to play professional sports after a heart transplant, Keith grew up in Greater Victoria. He played youth soccer with the Lower Island Youth Soccer Association before suiting up for the Prospect L…
UVic alumnus Simon Keith celebrates 40 years with donor heart - Northern Sentinel
More people have walked on the moon than have lived four decades with a donor heart. On July 7, Simon Keith joined that exclusive club, marking exactly 40 years since his first life-saving transplant. Long before he became the first athlete in the world to play professional sports after a heart transplant, Keith grew up in Greater Victoria. He played youth soccer with the Lower Island Youth Soccer Association before suiting up for the Prospect L…
Penticton Western News
UVic alumnus Simon Keith celebrates 40 years with donor heart
More people have walked on the moon than have lived four decades with a donor heart. On July 7, Simon Keith joined that exclusive club, marking exactly 40 years since his first life-saving transplant. Long before he became the first athlete in the world to play professional sports after a heart transplant, Keith grew up in Greater Victoria. He played youth soccer with the Lower Island Youth Soccer Association before suiting up for the Prospect L…
Peninsula News Review
Mount Douglas, UVic alumnus Simon Keith celebrates 40 years with donor heart
More people have walked on the moon than have lived four decades with a donor heart. On July 7, Simon Keith joined that exclusive club, marking exactly 40 years since his first life-saving transplant. Long before he became the first athlete in the world to play professional sports after a heart transplant, Keith grew up in Greater Victoria. He played youth soccer with the Lower Island Youth Soccer Association before suiting up for the Prospect L…
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