Eight members for the Plymouth Transplant Games Team are competing in the Westfield Health British Transplant Games in Belfast from the 4th - 7th August 2011 following months of intensive training
The team, residents from Plymouth, Cornwall and Bristol have all received a life saving kidney transplant at Derriford Hospital and will be taking part in the various events such as athletics, snooker, swimming, cycling and archery. Here at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust we wish Team Plymouth all the very best.
The British Transplant Games exist to encourage those who have received a transplant to lead active and healthy lives while showcasing the benefits of transplantation, and in doing so, to raise awareness of the need for more people to sign on to the NHS Organ Donor Register. In the UK, 8,000 people are waiting for a life saving transplant. 3 die each day waiting.
Around 600 inspiring athletes from across the UK, each of whom has received a life saving organ transplant, will descend on Belfast along with around 1000 supporters to take part in 20 different sporting activities over the 4 day event. Athletes are aged between 2 and 82 and will compete in competitions including archery, athletics, golf, squash, snooker, tennis and swimming. Competition will be fierce, but the athletes have already won the race for life – winning a medal will simply be a bonus!
Dr Eddie Rooney, Chair of the local organising committee and Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency is very much looking forward to a wonderful event with lasting impact; 'The Games came to Belfast in 1998 and it appears that we really left a lasting impression, with many visitors then hailing it as one of the best games ever, we hope that this year we can make an even bigger impact and give our athletes and their friends and families memories that they will cherish forever while helping to sign more people onto the NHS Organ Donor Register.’
To find out more about the Westfield Health British Transplant Games please visit www.transplantsport.org.uk.
To Join the NHS Organ Donor Register and help save lives TEXT: SAVE to 84118, call 0300 123 2323 or visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk