TRANSPLANT GAMES: Getting on with life - SLIDESHOW AND RESULTS
THEY came from all over the UK and from all walks of life.
But they shared a common goal - to demonstrate through the power of sport that organ donation saves and transforms the lives of thousands of people in the UK each year.
Child and adult athletes taking part in the 31st Westfield Health British Transplant Games in Sheffield used their sports skills to show people why they should join the NHS Organ Donor Register and help save the lives of others after their own deaths.
George Hopkinson, from Barnsley, got a new kidney 21 years ago and thanks to the generosity of his donor's family has lived to enjoy five grandchildren - three born after his transplant - and the arrival of great-grandson Ethan, aged five, which he described as "the apple of my eye".
"I have been very fortunate," said George. "Thanks to the donor's family I've been able to life to a ripe old age. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them. It is marvellous to have your and your health."
Other inspiring people in the Sheffield team included Andy Taylor, who took strength from his wife Zoe as he raced 100 metres down the track at Don Valley Stadium.
Click here to see Saturday's results
Click here to see Sunday's results
Andy was competing in his first British Transplant Games thanks to Zoe's brave and selfless decision to give him one of own kidneys.
The dad of two fell ill in 2005 with kidney failure and needed home based dialysis four times a day at home to stay alive.
Doctors said due to the desperate short of donor organs from deceased donors, Andy, from Woodseats, faced a long wait with no guarantee that a suitable organ would ever be found.
And that's when Zoe, 40, offered to give one of her two kidneys to her husband.
"When I first suggested it Andy said 'no' we'll wait and see," she said.
But after a year and no sign of a donor organ from a deceased person and with Andy feeling exhausted for much of the time, they decided that Zoe could be tested and fortunately she was a match.
In November 2006, they were wheeled into neighbouring operating theatres at the Northern General Hospital where Zoe's kidney was removed by keyhole surgery and transplanted into Andy.
Both made a great recovery and thanks to the transplant can now enjoy a normal life once more, free to go and enjoy all that life has to offer.
"We couldn't go on holiday before as Andy didn't feel confident enough
to be away on home, " said Zoe. "But since the transplant we've been on a cruise the QE2. You wouldn't think there was anything had been wrong."
Andy, a trainee train driver, said his wife's gift has been truly life-changing: "It's been wonderful to feel healthy and to be able to get on with my live again."
The couple are now a part Sheffield team, which has a strong family feeling with everyone supporting each other and they are looking forward to next year's Games in Coventry.
"The atmosphere's been fantastic, everyone's so friendly, and I've enjoyed it all," said Andy, who also competed in the volleyball and 100 metres freestyle swimming.
Natalie Acott, from Woodhouse, was competing in her 11th games after a successful kidney transplant.
The 14-year-old was in an obstacle course as well as bowling and the 100 metres and enjoys meeting up with old friends each year.
"You see people who are getting on with life and enjoying it," said Natalie.
One of the youngest competitors was three-and-a-half year old Ellie Greenwood, from Rotherham, who had a life-saving liver transplant at just seven months old and tackled a 25 metre run, an obstacle course and ball throwing during the Games.
Fifity-five teams were taking part, with competitors coming under the banner of the hospital where they were treated.
Lisa Innes, 40, with the Harefield Hospital team, was competing in the high jump and won a bronze medal in tennis.
Ten years ago she had a combined heart and lung transplant and ever since she has been a regular at the Games.
"When I was at my first transplant games I felt like crying, and when you see the children competing it is so emotional," said Lisa, whose parents and friends had come to Sheffield to support her.
Organisers were delighted with the Games which they said had been a great success on all levels.
Andrew Raftery, chairman of the local organising committee and recently retired kidney transplant consultant at the Northern General
Hospital,said: "The Games could not have been better. It's been well organised, people have been very impressed by the venues and it's been wonderful to see so many people who have benefited from organ donation."
Last year around 2,800 lives across the UK were saved or dramatically improved thanks to the generosity and courage of donors and their families.
In 2007, there were 23 organ donors who after their deaths saved the lives of 74 people in the Sheffield area but 16 people died waiting for transplants.
But there is still an urgent need for more people to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register.
There are 401 people currently waiting for a transplant in the Sheffield region and it is hoped the Games could make a difference by increasing awareness and persuade more people to take that vital step and agree to help others in the event of their own death.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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