It takes heart to face life’s climbs, to leave fears behind and run to the finish line. Even if that heart belongs to someone else and is now beating in your chest. Daniele Sironi, 32 years old, from Pregnana Milanese, has been honoring this commitment – challenging himself more and more every day - since the day of his ‘second birthday’: 2 April 2021, the date of his heart transplant. A ’sliding door’ that opened thanks to the gift of a 42-year-old from Bologna – death and life, destinies that intersect – and which brought him here, to the starting line of Milano21, where today, 24 November, he will make his debut with his first half marathon.
The dream of the New York marathon
“Who would have thought, thinking about the first day of post-surgery rehabilitation when sitting for 6 hours in bed after a week in intensive care was already an achievement”, he smiles. Only a little over 3 years have passed since those days. And today Daniele, a sommelier in life, has great aspirations and trains in triathlons to reach the next stages: “Half Ironman – he lists – the dream of one day running the New York marathon”.
His story
Born in Brianza in 1992, “a quiet life until he was 27”, then “in 2019 everything changes”, he tells Adnkronos Salute. And what changed is not only the fact that in February Daniele experienced the joy of becoming the father of Ludovica, one of the 3 loves of his life, together with his partner Alice and his second daughter Sofia. It’s a diagnosis that messes up the future: dilated cardiomyopathy heart disease causing heart failure. Some ‘red lights’ had already come on. “But the epilogue of what should have been a short 3-day hospitalization is totally unexpected for me,” he looks back. “They tell me that my heart is very bad and that my last hope of life is a transplant.” We are in November-December. “After the initial discouragement, I also discovered what it means to wait for a transplant, without knowing if you will be able to do it. I was transferred from Monzino to Niguarda where my suitability for the operation was assessed. After a month I was officially on the waiting list.”
In the meantime, Covid is also complicating things. “My luck - says Sironi – was my daughter, who was just over a year old at the time and allowed me not to think about it too much, all my energies were concentrated on her. In the meantime, during the visits I learn what it means to have a heart and what I could have done afterwards. The doctor worries me: ‘there are also transplants who do marathons’.
The new heart
Meanwhile, life continues to flow. “Until April 1, 2021, as if it were a joke, I received the call that all transplant recipients remember. I was back in the office, I answered the phone: ‘There would be a heart for you’, the phrase that will remain with me for the entire life”. A tsunami of emotions, and on April 2nd Daniele is under the knife. “The operation lasts 6-8 hours and ends well. From there a slow rehabilitation begins.”
At first “I walked with difficulty”, he recalls. Then “the exercise bike”, and “in good weather, walks outside. In June I return home, after a period with my parents in a slightly more protected context. Not even 10 days later my second daughter is born and I also manage to watch at childbirth”. It’s summer, and the sea is an opportunity: “I’m starting to do more kilometres. Then in October I’ll also start running a bit again. Before the forced stop imposed by my heart I led an active life, I played tennis, football with friends”. The symptoms? “In reality, the doctors were surprised that I was still standing. They were worried, so much so that they even put a defibrillator on me while I waited. I know people who spent months in hospital before the transplant.”
Sports
However, little by little Daniele, with his new heart, starts playing sports again, “even padel, a bit of tennis. I overcome a little the fear of starting to run again. And in the summer of 2022 I start to see some progress in more”. One of the many turning points in his life was the meeting with the Aido and Aned associations. “The latter in particular deals with sports for transplant recipients and I take part in national games with them. I know others who have had transplants and play sports. And with Aido I start going to schools to talk to kids about what happened to me. I also talk about it for those people I met and who unfortunately I never saw again. And in September 2023 it occurs to me that I can get my message through sport.”
“I think about triathlon – says Daniele – I discover that an important coach, Simone Diamantini, trains a few kilometers from my house. I explain to him my story, my project, and he embraces it. The funny thing is that I’ve never had a racing bike, I literally got it in an uncle’s cellar. On the first two rides I fell because I couldn’t get away from the pedals I had never done racing seriously and when I started to increase my speed a little I immediately got kilometers injured. I did swimming as a child, I knew how to stay afloat. Yet last month I made my debut in the sprint triathlon in Peschiera del Garda and tomorrow I will run 21 kilometers – concludes Sironi – I’ll have my message on my shirt. I ‘rewrote’ Aido’s slogan (‘I donate, I don’t know for whom but I know why’). For me it is ‘I run, I don’t know for whom but I know why'”, he smiles. “The meaning - he explains – is that doing sport, everyone as they want and everyone at their own level, is good for both the body and the mind. I also want to demonstrate that after a transplant you can live again, and raise awareness among people about organ donation”. Next steps? “Aside from the goal of an average triathlon, next year I would like to challenge myself with the marathon, perhaps already in Milan on April 6th. It would be a nice ‘birthday’. A nice way to celebrate 4 years since the transplant.”
How can individuals support loved ones recovering from a transplant?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Daniele Sironi: A Journey of Resilience and Hope
Time.news Editor: Good morning, Daniele! It’s a pleasure to have you here with us today. Your story since your heart transplant has been nothing short of inspirational. Can you begin by taking us back to that pivotal moment in your life?
Daniele Sironi: Good morning! I’m excited to share my journey. The day I received the call about my transplant, on April 1, 2021, was surreal. I was at work when I got the call saying, “There would be a heart for you.” It felt like a tsunami of emotions, and the following day, I was under the knife for the operation.
Time.news Editor: That’s incredible. It seems like your life took a dramatic turn not only because of the transplant but also because of the love and support from your family. How did your role as a father influence your mindset during recovery?
Daniele Sironi: Being a father was my anchor during such a turbulent time. My daughter Ludovica was just over a year old when I went through this, and focusing on her kept my spirits high. Every time I felt overwhelmed, I reminded myself of my responsibility to her. It gave me a reason to fight harder for my life.
Time.news Editor: It’s amazing how love can be a powerful motivator. Following your recovery, you jumped back into sports. What drew you back to physical activity after such a life-altering event?
Daniele Sironi: Sports have always been an integral part of my life. Before my heart issues, I was quite active, playing tennis and football with friends. After the transplant, I felt a burning desire to reclaim that part of myself. Gradually, I increasing my activities from walking to jogging, and finally to participating in triathlons.
Time.news Editor: You’re now preparing for your first half marathon, which is quite an achievement! How do you feel about this milestone, and what are your aspirations beyond this event?
Daniele Sironi: I can’t express how exhilarating it feels to stand at the starting line of Milano21. It’s a testament to my journey—every uphill battle, every moment of doubt, led me here. My aspirations extend further; I’m training for a Half Ironman and I dream of running the New York Marathon someday.
Time.news Editor: It’s wonderful to hear your enthusiasm! Your advocacy work with organizations like Aido and Aned also stands out. Can you share what it’s like to be involved with these communities?
Daniele Sironi: Joining Aido and Aned has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. These organizations support transplant recipients like me. I get to participate in national games and inspire fellow survivors. Plus, I’ve been visiting schools to educate kids about transplantation and the importance of organ donation—shifting the narrative from fear to hope.
Time.news Editor: That’s such important work! How can society better support individuals transitioning back into life post-transplant, especially in terms of physical activity?
Daniele Sironi: Society can play a crucial role by promoting awareness about organ transplants and the capabilities of recipients. Providing accessible programs for physical activity tailored to our needs would encourage more individuals to regain their confidence. Just knowing there’s a community and support out there can help immensely.
Time.news Editor: You’ve certainly highlighted the strength of community and resilience. Before we wrap up, what message do you hope to impart to others facing their own challenges?
Daniele Sironi: Life is a series of climbs, and every challenge presents an opportunity to rise stronger. Fear can either hold you back or propel you towards your goals. Embrace it, remain hopeful, and always strive for progress—no matter how small. And don’t forget to hold onto love; it’s truly what gives life meaning.
Time.news Editor: Thank you so much, Daniele, for sharing your incredible story and wisdom with us today. Best of luck in your upcoming marathon and all your future endeavors!
Daniele Sironi: Thank you for having me! I appreciate the opportunity to share my journey.