Fourteen Irish transplant recipients will travel to Perth, Australia in a week’s time to represent Ireland at the World Transplant Games (15-21 April). Sheila Gregan from Nenagh and John Loftus, Clarina in Limerick are both included in the Irish team. Sheila and John have both had successful kidney transplants. The team also includes Michael Kiely, Ballylanders/Kilmallock who had a living kidney donor and Pat O’Sullivan, Mallow (kidney) Hugh Nolan, Doneraile (kidney) and Mairead O’Mahony from Berrings, Cork – recipient of a bone marrow transplant.
The Irish Kidney Association is responsible for managing and supporting Transplant Team Ireland’s involvement at the Games. Competition at the Games is by age category and Transplant Team Ireland will have representatives in the following eleven sports: Cycling; Darts; Golf; Lawn Bowls; Petanque; Road Race; Swimming; Table Tennis; Ten Pin Bowling; Tennis; and Triathlon.
Each of the athletes is funding their participation in the Games (Games registration, flights, accommodation, and meals) through fundraising in the name of the Irish Kidney Association/Transplant Team Ireland, and using their own funds. The team is proud to wear the Team Kit which, this year, has been sponsored by the Health Services Staffs Credit Union (HSSCU). To find out more about members of Transplant Team Ireland and to follow their progress at the Games, you can follow the team blog here.
They will be among over 1,200 participants from over 50 countries, all embracing their gift of life and honouring their donors in this celebration of life through sport. Individuals who wish to support organ donation are encouraged to Share their Wishes with their family and keep the reminders of their decision available by carrying the organ donor card, permitting Code 115 to be included on their driver’s licence or having the ‘digital organ donor card’ App on their smartphone. Organ Donor Cards can be requested by visiting the IKA website here or to your phone, phoning the Irish Kidney Association on 01 6205306 or Free text the word DONOR to 50050.
