In 2013, I suddenly became ill and was admitted to Warwick Hospital for investigation. My general condition was absolutely fine but my jaundice indicated that something was 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 difficult 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, followed by a Bronze Medal in Newport, Wales in 2019. A further Silver Medal was won at the World Transplant Games in Newcastle in August 2019.

In July 2021, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, I took part in a Virtual World Transplant Games in Houston, Texas, USA. This was an extremely difficult time for all of us and especially for the extremely vulnerable who were shielding for such a long time and even so we found the way to communicate and spread the message of the importance of Organ Donation. This year, with a lot of support, we managed to bring back the Transplant Games and with extra precautions I took part in the British Transplant Games in Leeds, where I won Bronze and at the European Transplant Games in Oxford where I won Gold and Silver, despite almost no practice being possible due to COVID restrictions.

I am now so proud to have been selected to represent Team GB & NI at the forthcoming World Transplant Games in Perth, Australia in April 2023.

At this difficult time, it has been a big decision for me to attend this event due to COVID-19, the very long distance to travel and the high costs involved. However, the reasons behind me still wanting to take part remain extremely important for me; to help and support with spreading the message of the importance of organ donation and how transplantation can save so many lives. There are still so many thousands of people patiently waiting for organ transplantation and looking forward to a new life and only we, the recipients can demonstrate the benefits and encourage them to stay positive. This is what made me take this decision and say YES, I must go.

 I am really fortunate to be alive and I encourage everyone to discuss and share the importance of Organ Donation. 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 the value of my new life is. My donated organ is my treasure and a true gift of life. 

Thank you for reading my story.

Boryana x