The World Transplant Games 2011, Gothenburg
Joe Dunster is raising money for Transplant Sport UK
Participants: Joe Dunster
Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
By sponsoring me and helping me get to my first target of £1,200 you will be assisting me to represent the UK Transplant Team at the World Transplant Games in Gothenburg, Sweden 2011.
Any proceeds raised above this target will go to the charity, Transplant Sport UK. Their main aim is to raise awareness of the need for organ donation in the UK and worldwide.
Any proceeds raised above this target will go to the charity, Transplant Sport UK. Their main aim is to raise awareness of the need for organ donation in the UK and worldwide.
My story…
For those of you who don't know my background, I have been in and out of hospital with kidney problems since I was two years old. I was eventually diagnosed with kidney failure in 1998, and after two years on the organ donation waiting list, I received a kidney transplant in August 2000. It hasn't all been plain sailing but I’m pleased to say that 10 years later, I'm fighting fit and enjoying playing competitive sport again. It's fair to say the transplant changed my life and opened up a number of opportunities for me which previously would not have been possible.
Anyway, last year I finally decided to put my sporting talents on show so I registered to play golf at my first British Transplant Games, god knows why it took me so long! I must have done something to impress because I was selected to represent the UK Transplant Team at the World Transplant Games 2011 in Gothenburg!
I will be competing in the squash, table tennis and golf, and with the games starting on the 17th June time is ticking. I'm trying to cram in as much practice as I can (without injuring myself!) but more importantly I want to use the next six months to raise awareness and spread the word about how I have benefited from receiving an organ transplant.
Now for the important stuff...
The need for organs is constant. Currently in the UK:
- More than 10,000 people need an organ transplant
- Of these, 1,000 people will die before an organ becomes available, that's three a day
- While 90% of people in the UK say they support organ donation, to date, only 27% have joined the NHS Organ Donation Register
Please show your support for this valuable cause, add your name to the NHS Organ Donor Register and let those closest to you know your wishes about organ donation. One day you may be able to save lives.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity. So please dig deep and donate now.