OUH transplant patients win big at World Transplant Games
09/05/2023
Nine transplant patients from Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) have won 25 medals representing Great Britain at the World Transplant Games which took place from 15 to 21 April 2023 in Perth, Australia.
Representatives from more than 40 countries came together to compete in different sporting activities such as the 5km Run, Badminton, Table Tennis, Basketball, Golf and Swimming among others. Participants' ages ranged from four to 80 years.
The Games saw over 2,500 transplant recipients, live donors, donor families and supporters travel to Australia from all over the world to compete, support and most importantly raise awareness of the lifesaving benefits of organ donation.
Team Great Britain and Northern Ireland was the biggest team in attendance after the host country, Australia, and returned home with 121 gold, 96 silver and 71 bronze medals, of which 25 were won by OUH transplant patients.
Paul Harden, Consultant Nephrologist at OUH, said: "We are so incredibly proud of each and every athlete who travelled to Perth to compete on behalf of their country. We were especially pleased to have nine athletes who receive care for their organ transplants at OUH hospitals attend and bring home an impressive 25 medals between them.
"They are a true credit to the ongoing work of the OUH Transplant Unit. Many of these people have defied the odds, experienced near death situations and battled long illnesses - to see them taking part in sport with transplant communities from across the world is a true inspiration."
Flora King, kidney transplant recipient, said: "The World Transplant Games is a celebration of life and a chance for people like me to meet others who have been in similar situations. I'm so thankful to my Dad for donating his kidney 12 years ago otherwise I wouldn't be here, let alone competing and winning on an international stage. Winning five gold medals felt incredible, and I am grateful for the care I receive at Oxford Transplant Unit allowing me to live a normal life."
Flora's medals were for singles and doubles tennis, cricket ball throw, squash and javelin.
Pictured: Team GB