Hi there, and thanks for visiting my fundraising page.
My name is James Colbeck and I am raising funds for Transplant Sport UK, a registered charity whose main aim is to raise awareness of the need for organ donation in the UK and worldwide, through organizing sports and social events for transplant recipients.
In 2006 my kidneys failed following an unknown illness in the Dominican Republic. Initially diagnosed as an acute case, I returned to the UK, with the hope that they would start to work again following more treatment, but after 3 months I was informed that they would never work again. This really was a life-changing moment, as since I got back I had to undergo dialysis 3 times a week at the Manchester Royal Infirmary. To be told that this would happen for the rest of my life in some form or other is mind-blowing, and coping was really difficult.
During the next few months, I postponed my education and dealt with the matter of recovery and acceptance. In this time I was released from the hospital and trained to perform the task of Dialysis myself, where I moved from MRI to Wythenshawe Hospital and later to Prestwich Dialysis Unit.
The strain of Dialysis on the body is tremendous, often affecting life in both the short and long term, dietary needs change and mobility becomes increasingly difficult.During this time, my mother was being tested to see if she was a match with the ideal scenario that she may be able to donate one of her kidneys.
Fortunately on October 9th 2007, the operation to transplant my mothers left kidney into me, was successful and over a year later it has taken very well. But I am not under the illusion that this is a permanent fix. A transplant is the best scenario for anyone with Chronic Renal Failure, but they do not last forever . . . most of those on dialysis are waiting for a 2nd or 3rd transplant, and these are increasingly harder to come by.
At the end of March 2008, 7,655 patients were listed as waiting for a transplant in the UK.
(source: https://www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/statistics/statistics.jsp)
Transplantation is just a form of Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) as is dialysis, but is a better way to receive this. My life has been changed by the receiving of my transplant, and by donating to Transplant Sport UK, you can help raise awareness and hopefully give someone else that opportunity in the future, be it Kidney, Liver, Heart, Lungs or other vital organ.
My fundraising target of £3,000 includes the costs of the following aspects of my training, preparation and participation at the World Transplant games:
- Competitor Flight and Accommodation.
- Team Kit and Equipment.
- Training Costs including costs for coaching.
- Insurance
- Travel to and from departure airport in the UK
- WTG Administration Fee (£50 per competitor)
Please note that none of the fundraising proceeds will cover the cost of any holiday before or after participation at WTG, nor will it be used as personal spending money. Any surplus money raised will go to support Transplant Sport UK.
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It's also the most efficient way to sponsor me! Transplant Sport UK gets your money faster and, if you're a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
So please help support Transplant Sport UK and myself raise awareness of Transplantation.
Thanks!
James
