Two Wicklow men to take part in the World Transplant Games
TONY GARTLAND AND GARRY CAMPBELL WILL REPRESENT BOTH IRELAND AND WICKLOW IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT EVENTS.
TWO County Wicklow men will form part of the Irish team taking part in the World Transplant Games in Malaga this summer.
A total of 29 Irish athletes will take part in the games which take place from June 25 until July 2. Both Garry Campbell from Greystones and Tony Gartland from Hacketstown on the Wicklow Carlow border will represent Wicklow at the games which showcase the importance of organ donation.
Last week members of Transplant Team Ireland travelled from the four corners of Ireland to a photocall and motivational talk by the Kilkenny All Star Hurling great Michael Fennelly. The eight times All Ireland Senior title holder and three times Club Championship winner was nursing an Achilles injury when he shared his experience, as a prolific player and lecturer in Nutrition and Coaching, with an eager Transplant Team Ireland at ALSAA Sports Complex in Dublin Airport.
At the forthcoming World Transplant Games the 29 Irish competitors and their supporters will join athletes from over 50 countries in what will be the biggest gathering of transplant recipients this year with almost 1,000 competitors registered to take on events as diverse as athletics, badminton, swimming, ten pin bowling and darts to name but a few.
Ranging in age from 30 to 79 years, Transplant Team Ireland includes five liver transplant recipients and 24 who have undergone kidney transplants. One of the kidney transplant recipients is also poignantly the father of a deceased organ donor.
The Irish Kidney Association is responsible for coordinating and managing Transplant Team Ireland’s participation at European and World Transplant Games events. Colin White, the National Projects Manager of the Irish Kidney Association is the Ireland Team Manager and he is also currently the Treasurer of the World Transplant Games Federation.
Colin said: ‘ This year the World Transplant Games Federation is celebrating 30 years and we can be proud of the tradition that our team has in the competition. Our team is known for its sense of fair play as well as its sense of fun with both underpinned by a steely competitive edge.
‘Our athletes are coming from across the country and their dedication and commitment is not only to their training, in practical terms, they also fund the vast majority of the costs involved. Their motivation is driven by a determination to be Fit for Life, to show other ‘patients’ what can be achieved post-transplant and to encourage the general public to have a family discussion about organ donation.
‘It will be my 7th World Transplant Games as Ireland Team Manager and it continues to be a most humbling honour to be a part of such an inspiring group of people. I look forward to witnessing our four new team members experiencing their first Opening Ceremony, our regular members renewing friendships and sporting rivalries and the support that we will receive from family and friends via our team website www.transplantteamireland.ie. The realisation that all of the competitors at the Games will be there because of the generosity of organ donors, and their families, is a wonderful reminder than there is a lot of good in society!’
Giving his motivational talk Michael Fennelly shared his insights into Kilkenny’s winning ways and his knowledge as a graduate who holds an MSc in Sports Performance from University of Limerick (UL) and who now works as a Lecturer for the Limerick Institute of Technology at its Thurles campus.
He said: ‘It was a pleasure to spend some time with these inspirational athletes who will represent their country at the World Transplant Games. I have huge admiration for each and every one of them.
‘Most of us take our health for granted but these brave people have all faced uncertain futures and battled illness and organ failure. Their determination and great spirit is to be commended in taking on and enjoying competitive sport as a way of keeping fit, celebrating life and honouring their donors. I wish all the members and traveling staff of Transplant Team Ireland the very best of luck and am grateful for the opportunity to meet them.’
Every athlete at the World Transplant Games will have already received a kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas or bone marrow transplant.
Athletes will compete in their respective age categories in the following events: badminton, cycling, darts, golf, petanque, squash, swimming, table tennis, ten pin bowling, tennis, mini-marathon, and track and field.
For more information on World Transplant Games and the Irish athletes visit the Irish team blog www.transplantteamireland.ie or log onto ww.wtgmalaga2017.com/en.
For organ donor cards Freetext DONOR to 50050 or visit website www.ika.ie/card You can now download the IKA’s new digital donor card by visiting www.donor.ie on your smartphone.
Your wishes to be an organ donor can also be included on the new format driving licence which is represented by Code 115.