The Sunday Mail
Tinashe Kusema
SIX months ago, Zimbabwean sprinter Gabriel Mvumvure had the world at his feet – an Olympian, two-time African Junior champion, a national record holder over 200 meters, a former Africa Games champion and a three-time semi-finalist at the World Indoor Championships.
Although he could only muster a seventh-place finish in the Rio Olympics 100 meter preliminary round in a time of 10.28 seconds, being at such a grand stage was a massive achievement for the Zimbabwean.
However, six months after the Olympics, Mvumvure’s life is taking a tragic turn, fast.
The sprinter is in urgent need of a kidney transplant but cannot raise the $250 000 needed.
“It all started roughly four weeks after the Rio games,” Mvumvure revealed in an interview from his United States base last week.
“My body had fluid overload, and as such my kidneys started failing. At the time, my lungs were functioning at only 70 percent, which wasn’t good for my heart muscles.
“I started coughing up blood because a sack of fluid had formed around my heart, squeezing it and stopping it from beating properly. I was in pretty bad shape, and ended up in the hospital emergency room.”
Mvumvure underwent emergency dialysis, a process that saw over 12 liters of excess fluid drained from his kidneys.
But the 28-year-old is not out of the woods yet as doctors say only a kidney transplant can remedy the situation.
Mvumvure disclosed that he has so far managed to raise $14 000 of the $250 000 needed to offset the medical expenses through donations.
“Those willing to help me can visit Gofundme.com and make their donations,” said Mvumvure.
A promising athlete who used to spend most of his time trying to run faster on the track is now dedicating most of his life to starring at the ceiling while undergoing dialysis.
It hasn’t been easy.
“My daily life has changed drastically,’ said Mvumvure.
“First of all I can’t train for any track and field events, and may never be able to compete again unless I get that transplant.
“My daily routine now revolves around treatment which I get three-times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
“Each session lasts roughly four hours, after which I have doctors’ appointments.
“The emotional strain is the worst and is unbearable at times. Being a God fearing man, I have been fortunate to find peace and comfort in His word, but initially I struggled with disbelief and acceptance of the hand that I had been dealt.
“I was filled with a lot of “why me?” questions, but somehow I found the strength in knowing that God is always in control.”
