‘I’m going for gold but I’ve already won in life’
GamesmanMurrayreflectsonhis40years asdonorrecipient
Register, while demonstrating the benefits of transplantation.
But this won’t be the first time Murray has competed at the Games.
“I did my first Transplant Games the year after my operation when they were held at Meadowbank Stadium,” he confirmed.
“That was great but I left it at that because I didn’t want to be reminded of my transplant. It was a psychological thing for me.
“But now I’ve got a different outlook on it and I want to help other people out after the struggles I went through with it.
“It’s a foreign object that goes inside you, so you get the rejection tablets to deal with that and some transplants can only last 10 to 20 years.
“Mine was a donor, I didn’t get one from my family, so I’m lucky in that sense as well [that it has lasted so long].
“I’m feeling good now but there can be problems along the way.
“I had a heart attack eight years ago and I got through that so I felt I wanted to give something back.
“Just talking to other transplant patients and helping them along would be great.”
Team Lanarkshire are trying to raise £7000 to ensure they make the Games which will be held from Thursday, August 2 to Sunday, August 5 and they have received plenty of local backing.
Murray said: “East Kilbride Thistle are putting some money towards it, as are South Lanarkshire College, Cathkin Braes Golf Club and Busby Bowling Club.
“The target is £7000 to get the kilts, accommodation and travel to Birmingham and we are doing well with that.”
You can transform a life by joining the Organ Donation Register via https://www. organdonation.nhs.uk/