NutritionThe 32nd British Transplant Games 30th July - 2nd August 2009
This year the British Transplant Games takes place in Coventry and 900 transplant athletes are preparing to take part. For a handful of these athletes, the Games offers vital training and preparation for other major sporting challenges such as triathlons and marathons. The event organisers, Transplant Sport UK shines the spotlight on these inspiring people, who visibly demonstrate that there is life after transplant, allowing them to train to a high level of fitness against all the odds.
The British Transplant Games (BTG) aims to publicly and visibly demonstrate the benefits of a successful organ transplant, whilst promoting the full rehabilitation and wellbeing of its participants and members. By illustrating the power of the gift of life, the Games strive to encourage people to sign the donor register and help save the lives of the 6,000 people in the UK currently on the transplant waiting list.
- Interview transplant athletes at the peak of physical fitness, training for marathons and triathlons or even a cross-channel swim
- Find out about the training regime involved in making from transplant to the track and field at the Transplant Games
- Discover how sport can play a crucial role in physical and mental rehabilitation, helping transplantees reach a new level of fitness
- Highlight the value of organ donation by talking to an inspiring human being who has received a life-saving organ from a donor and thrown themselves into competitive sport
Steve Deakin
Aged 47 and two kidney transplants later, there"s not much that will stop Steve Deakin when it comes to swimming. In 2008, he completed the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco Bay, swimming one and a half miles in shark-infested open water with a four knot current. His training included swimming 500 lengths at his local pool.
Last August Steve also joined fellow transplantees in the swim across the Channel. Since his transplant, Steve has volunteered for the role of the Royal Liverpool Transplant Sports Team Manager. Last year he won two silver and a bronze in the swimming events, in Edinburgh and two bronze medals at the World Games.
Brian Armstrong
Brian, aged 45, had a kidney transplant in 2000, donated by his brother. He won four gold medals at the World Transplant Games in Thailand and regularly competes in the British Transplant Games for the Belfast Adults team.
Russell Clinker
Russell was only on dialysis for three weeks before receiving a kidney from the donor register. Now, aged 45 Russel was part of the first Olympic distance Transplant Triathlon Team for the 2006 London Triathlon. In 2008, he swam the Channel as part of a transplant team - the first ever team made up of transplantees to swim that stretch of water. With a string of medals under his belt for swimming, Russell hopes to get his first gold this year.
Anna Burnett
Anna, aged 23 was the 200 metres world champion in 2003 and has over 50 medals to her name. This fashion design student had a liver transplant in 1996, and far from letting it hold her back, she is a formidable member of the Kings College team. In 2006, Anna was one of three finalists in the Daily Record Sports Hero award, putting her in good company at this year"s Games.
Notes
All the case studies are available for interview. In addition, for further information on the British Transplant Games or for commentary from an expert at Transplant Sport UK, the event organiser, please contact Madeleine Roles, Dominic Dennis or Justine Hoadley at HSL on 020 8977 9132 or email tsuk@harrisonsadler.com
Transplant Sport UK (TSUK) is a registered Charity whose main aim is to raise awareness of the need for organ donation in the UK and worldwide. Through organising sports and social events for transplant recipients, Transplant Sport UK demonstrates the benefits of organ donation and proves that you can lead a normal and active life again after transplantation. For further information on Transplant Sport UK and the British Transplant Games, please visit http://www.transplantsport.org.uk
UK Transplant is the NHS organisation responsible for matching and allocating donated organs. It is part of NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), a Special Health Authority within the NHS that manages the National Blood Service, Bio Products Laboratory, and UK Transplant. For further general information about transplantation, please contact the UK Transplant press office on 0117 975 7518/7475/7477
UK Transplant