Smashing success in the Euros
THE recipient of a double lung transplant who only has 23 per cent lung capacity has beaten the odds to become double European champion in table tennis – again.
It brings his European Transplant Games gold tally to six, as well as a number of silver and bronze medals to add to his British titles.
Mark Allen, originally from Lichfield, who lives in Widnes, took gold in both the singles and doubles in the European Heart & Lung Transplant Championships in Vantaa, Finland.
The Halton Borough Council Communications Officer, travelled to Finland last week to defend his previous title and is now gearing up to compete again in next week’s British Transplant Games taking place in Liverpool next week.
He said: “The medals were a bonus, but it was great seeing people from different countries all with something in common. Some of whom I have known for years, and raise awareness Europe-wide about the benefits of transplantation.”
Mark, 44, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when he was nine-months-old, causing mucus to develop in the lungs. Already challenged with limited lung capacity, he fell ill with pneumonia while working as an English teacher in Korea in 2005.
In a serious condition, doctors caused damage to his trachea by leaving him ventilated too long. This also had serious consequences for his lungs which deteriorated rapidly leaving him needing a double lung transplant.
That same year he received his transplant at The Freeman Hospital in Newcastle but suffered rejection in 2006 leaving him to now live with just between 20 and 25-per cent overall lung capacity.
He added: “Sport has always been an important part of my lifestyle and I keep as active as my lungs will allow.”