PHA wishes transplant athletes every success

Transplant athletes from Northern Ireland are set to compete for gold at the Westfield Health British Transplant Games, taking place in Bolton, England from Thursday 7 August – Sunday 10 August, and the Public Health Agency (PHA) has extended its best wishes to the Belfast team.

Dr Eddie Rooney, Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency and Chair of the Northern Ireland Committee for Organ Donation, said: “Tomorrow the Northern Ireland transplant athletes will begin to compete for titles in this year’s British Transplant Games. Over 60 people including 30 competitors and their families are making the trip to Bolton.”

The games showcase the benefits of transplantation, encourage those who have had a transplant to lead active and healthy lives and highlight the desperate need for more organ donors across the UK. The event will see around 1,000 athletes, ranging in age from 4 to 75, each of whom has received a life saving transplant, take part in sporting activities during the four day period.

Dr Rooney continued: “The games are an exciting time for all. Sportspeople from all across the UK will be competing to win medals and beat their own personal best. Spectators can attend various sporting events and enjoy the excitement of transplant recipients going head-to-head for medal glory.

“The games are an excellent opportunity to celebrate the gift of life and show support for organ donation. There are now over 592,500 registrants on the Organ Donation Register in Northern Ireland but sadly there are still around 160 people waiting for a transplant and around 15 people die in Northern Ireland each year whilst waiting on one.”

Frankie O’Kane, Northern Ireland adult team manager, said: “It’s amazing to witness firsthand the transformation in people after transplant, for example from being dependant on dialysis to keep them alive to being able to participate in sport. We have high hopes for our team this year to bring home a haul of medals, particularly in swimming, athletics and golf. This year’s games will also be used to pre-select the team who will go on to represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the next World Transplant Games being staged in Argentina in 2015. Everyone has been training hard and are now looking forward to the competition.”

Hazel Gibson, Northern Ireland Children’s Team Manager, said: “It’s great for the children and their families to meet up with others who have had similar health issues. The Games are a fantastic opportunity for the children to develop their confidence and independence and always fill us with pride when we watch them taking part.”

Dr Rooney concluded: “The games are not only a great opportunity to create awareness of the need for organ donors and give thanks to donor families for their generosity and support, but are a great way to celebrate the ‘gift of life’. Without a life-saving transplant many of the athletes would not be able to compete at these games, and for that I know they are all tremendously grateful. I would like to personally congratulate all of them on their achievements so far, and wish them all the very best in each of their sporting events.

“We all have the opportunity to help others in need and save lives by joining the Organ Donor Register and by discussing our wish to donate with family and friends.

"I urge everyone in Northern Ireland, who has not already done so, to take the simple step today of registering on the Organ Donor Register; it is one of the most generous things a human being can do to help others.”

If you haven’t already signed the register or would like more information, please take the time to visit www.organdonationni.info which is packed full of information and resources.