NZ Breakers manager Fata Letoa thanks his organ donor every day for the second chance at life he was given.

New Zealand Breakers are mourning the death of their manager Fata Letoa.

Letoa was diagnosed with bronchiectasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

He underwent a lung transplant after earlier being given just 14 months to live.

GETTY IMAGES Fata Letoa, right, speaks with injured Breakers player RJ Hampton.

READ MORE: Breakers manager bounces back after lung transplant

It is with heavy hearts that we must say goodbye to our beloved manager Fata Letoa who passed away today.



Fata was truly at the heart of our Breakers family. He saw the best in all of us and embodied everything it means to be a Breaker. A coach, a mentor, a father and a friend. pic.twitter.com/lFBzGixDXK — SKY Sport Breakers NZ (@NZBreakers) January 3, 2020

"It is with heavy hearts that we must say goodbye to our beloved manager Fata Letoa who passed away today," the club said in a statement.

"Fata was truly at the heart of our Breakers family. He saw the best in all of us and embodied everything it means to be a Breaker. A coach, a mentor, a father and a friend.

"His warmth and inspiration will never be forgotten. Thank you for reminding us that every day is a blessing. Our hearts are with his family. The remainder of our season will be dedicated to Fata's memory and the impact he left on all of us."

Letoa opened up on his second chance at life in an interview with Stuff last year.

"I wake up every day and I've got a tradition where as soon as I get out of bed I punch the air and say a little thank you to my donor. The greatest hero I've never met," he said.

Letoa said around six years ago, shortly after he and his family (wife Paula and basketball-playing sons Isaac and Jordan) had moved to Auckland, doctors determined he was operating on only half a lung which was delivering just 23 per cent of oxygen capacity. "I struggled to get out of bed," he recalled.

"I'd take a shower and would need 10 minutes' rest afterwards just to get dressed. I wouldn't even be able to hold a conversation. I was out of breath all the time. Or coughing a lot.

Rest in Paradise Fata ♥️ I love you 1000x. pic.twitter.com/ACl8OKDhKo — 14 (@RjHampton14) January 3, 2020

"I couldn't do much. I love being involved with my kids' activities, but I had to manage it really well. I'd get frustrated because I couldn't do certain things, and didn't want to go out much because I couldn't keep up with anyone."

Then, a little over a year ago, came the bombshell. He was diagnosed with bronchiectasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: "I was given 14 months to live. That's when they put me on the active waiting-list for a lung transplant."

﻿Letoa said he had always been an active, healthy person. He played premier club rugby in Wellington as a younger man, before turning to basketball in his late-20s. He surfed. He ran. He played touch.

Following his lung transplant he reached out to his donor's family because he wanted to thank them personally. He wrote them via his transplant co-ordinator and by Christmas 2018 their reply came.

"They didn't give too many details, but I know it was a 56-year-old female who died suddenly. She had a family, and sounded a very caring and nice person. Every day I more or less live for her, and for myself and my family. I never take this gift for granted."

﻿