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I have been given a massive opportunity by Transplant Sport UK to represent Team GB & NI and to compete at the World Transplant Games in Newcastle, UK in 2019. This event raises awareness around the world of the importance of organ transplantation in order to save lives. I will be competing in my favourite sport of Table Tennis against the world's best transplant athletes from up to 70 other countries. To attend these Games, I need your support to raise funds to cover my expenses including travel, accommodation, training sessions and kit . Any surplus funds raised will go towards the Transplant Sport UK Management Team who freely give up their time to support the TEAM GB & NI Athletes.
My Story:
In 2013, I suddenly became ill and was admitted to Warwick Hospital for investigation. My general condition was absolutely fine but the jaundice was showing that there was something seriously wrong. In order for me to receive the best possible treatment, I was transferred under blue lights to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
I became increasingly concerned about my deteriorating condition and my worst fears became true when the Doctors confirmed that I would need an urgent liver transplant to save my life. I was totally shocked!
I was placed on the super-urgent waiting list in the hope that a suitable liver could be found in time. Fortunately, after just 48 hours a donor was found and I underwent my life saving operation.
Unfortunately, after just a few days, my transplanted liver failed and, after being placed back onto the super-urgent waiting list, another donor was found and I underwent my second liver transplant.
After my two transplants, my condition was extremely poor as I lost my mobility and I felt a completely different person compared to how I felt a week before. My road to recovery was extremely long and I am grateful to all the medical professionals that eventually helped me to get back to my normal life!
Sport was always one of my passions before my illness, so when I discovered about Transplant Sport I was extremely interested in getting involved. I joined Team GB at my first European Transplant Games in Sardinia in June 2018 and I won Gold Medal in my favourite sport of Table Tennis. I was extremely proud to then represent the Queen Elizabeth Hospital at my first British Transplant Games in Birmingham in August 2018, where I won Silver Medal in Table Tennis.
I am now looking forward to representing Team GB once again at my first World Transplant Games in Newcastle in August 2019. Our first warm-up for this big event will be Transplant Sport's Racquet Tournament in Oxford in December 2018 followed by the British Transplant Games in Newport in July 2019.
I am really fortunate to be alive and I encourage everyone to join the Organ Donation Register. I now live a second life thanks to my Donor. Saying thank you to my Donor just isn't enough. I am only alive today because of a very kind Lady who was on the Donor Register. I am so grateful and want to give something back as a way of saying thank you. No words are enough to express my feelings, to explain what is the value of my new life. My donated organ is my treasure and a true gift of life.
Thank you.
