Zac back on the road again
Heart Disease

Zac back on the road again

21-year-old heart transplant recipient Zac Esso is back in training for Tour de Brisbane following a very generous gift from The Common Good partner CUA.

When he received his life-saving transplant in 2019, Zac set himself the goal of riding in the Tour de Brisbane, Australia’s premier ride supporting transplant research. Following his recovery from the surgery, training began in earnest for the 2020 ride.

COVID caused the cancellation of Tour de Brisbane 2020, so Zac focused on being as strong as possible for the 2021 edition. His efforts suffered a major setback when his bike broke, forcing him off the road and out of training.

Zac’s fundraising for The Common Good got back on track when event partner CUA donated a brand-new road bike, and Zac is back on the road ahead of the April 11 event.

Zac said riding in Tour de Brisbane, and raising funds for The Common Good, is something he’s been aiming at for a long time.

“Transplant research conducted at The Prince Charles Hospital, funded by The Common Good is one of the reasons why I am still here,” said Zac.

“I am aiming to raise $10,000 for The Common Good’s research ahead of my ride. It all would have stopped though if I didn’t have a bike, so I am hugely grateful to CUA for this incredible gift. Thank you so much.”

Before he got sick, Zac was a regular teenage boy. He played cricket, football, rugby, soccer, ran cross country. Late one night, his Mum called the Home Doctor Service to treat a bout of tonsillitis for Zac. As he was leaving, the Doctor queried Zac’s heart murmur – a question that, after a series of follow up appointments, very much saved his life.

Zac was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition that reduces the heart’s ability to pump blood around the body. In the same month, he had a cardiac defibrillator implanted under his skin, and his first cardiac arrest during a treadmill stress test next to a cardiologist.

“It was exactly like in the movies where there was a big black hole with all my friends’ faces whizzing past, slowly getting smaller and smaller. It got to a small dot before it stopped and then my whole world sucked back into it. And that was me waking up and breathing again,” Zac recalls.

Zac had four more heart attacks before he put on the list for a heart transplant.

Zac’s mum Dionne remembers the exact moment he decided to ride for transplant research. “Prior to his transplant, he was in a very dark place. The doctor suggested he make some short and long-term goals for his mental health. We were sitting waiting for an appointment at the hospital and saw a poster promoting the Tour de Brisbane. He set that as a long-term goal, which at the time just seemed ridiculous,” Dionne remembered.

“Once he got the heart, it was on for young and old. He was chomping at the bit to get to the rehab gym. He had decided quite a bit earlier that he was going to give back and fundraise,” said Dionne.

Zac is in training for the 2021 Tour de Brisbane, as his first long-term goal post heart transplant.

“I’m doing the tour de Brisbane for not only myself, as doing a ride for charity has been on my bucket list for many years now, but also for my donor. Every day that goes past is all thanks to them and I will make every day the best it can be. This one is for you,” Zac said.

Published: March 15, 2021

Related news & events

What are heart arrhythmias?

Heart Disease

What are heart arrhythmias?

Hundreds of thousands of Australians have a heart arrhythmia, but what are heart arrhythmias? Click here to find out more.

Find out more

What is Heart Failure?

Heart Disease

What is Heart Failure?

It’s estimated that around 110,000 Australians live with heart failure, but what exactly is heart failure? Click here to learn more about it.

Find out more

What is Heart Disease?

Heart Disease

What is Heart Disease?

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia. But what exactly is it? In this blog we shed some light on what heart disease is and the most common types.

Find out more

About the Cardiovascular Molecular and Therapeutics Translational Research Group

Heart Disease

About the Cardiovascular Molecular and Therapeutics Translational Research Group

The Cardiovascular Molecular and Therapeutics Translational Research Group aims to increase understanding of molecular mechanisms of advanced heart failure in order to discover new medicines to treat and improve quality of life for patients with this condition. 

Find out more

What is a Research Fellowship?

The Common Good

What is a Research Fellowship?

What is a research fellowship? In this blog, we explain what a research fellowship is and introduce you to our two most recent research fellowship recipients.

Find out more

Giving Day 2023 an Incredible Success

The Common Good

Giving Day 2023 an Incredible Success

Our amazing and generous community have helped exceed our Giving Day goal, with over $157,900 raised!

Find out more

National Safe Work Month 2023

Lung Disease

National Safe Work Month 2023

It’s National Safe Work Month 2023. The theme for this year is ‘For everyone’s safety, work safely.’ Learn more here.

Find out more

Rejuvenation of Wellness Room inside Mental Health Unit

Mental Health

Rejuvenation of Wellness Room inside Mental Health Unit

The wellness room inside The Prince Charles Hospital’s Mental Health Unit has received a welcome rejuvenation thanks to Giving Day support.

Find out more

What is an Allied Health Professional?

Hospital Care

What is an Allied Health Professional?

What is an allied health professional? We answer that frequently asked question and share some examples in this blog.

Find out more