Chris Haldane might be New Zealand's best motorcyclist you've never heard of.
He's raced the Isle of Man twice, competed in British and American superbikes and won multiple national titles.
But his biggest speed bump came once his career had finished when he was told his liver was failing.
It wasn't that long ago Chris Haldane struggled to walk, in November 2017 he was sent home and told he might not make it through the weekend unless they found a liver donor, luckily, the phone rang a few days later and he was rushed into surgery.
"[It was a] gift of life really," Haldane told Newshub.
The transplant gifted Haldane the opportunity to get his life back on track.
"I started to think, gee maybe the best thing for me is to get back into what I know and what I've loved over the years and my passion you know."
Less than a year after receiving a new liver, Haldane was competing in the New Zealand Superbikes Championship with the goal of racing in the Isle of Man TT, the world's most dangerous race.
"Initially the response was quite negative as you can imagine, but what I will say is the liver clinic was so supportive," Haldane added.
Unfortunately, Haldane hasn't been able to raise the funds to go, but he can still see the positive in the challenge.
"It's just helped my rehabilitation get back into life it's just been amazing, just the right thing to do."
Haldane's story is an example of how Organ recipients can go on to live happy and regular lives. And that'll be recognised on Sunday with Organ Donation New Zealand's Thank You Day.
"Thank You Day is an opportunity for us to express gratitude to all donors and donor family members," Organ Donation New Zealand communications advisor Rebecca Oliver told Newshub.
The day is a chance for us to have a conversation with our family members about whether you'd like to be a donor as well.
