World Record breaking transplanted sprinter Bramble has been selected for Team GB&NI to compete in 100m, 200m & 4x100m relay Sprint and Basketball at the 2023 World Transplant Games in Perth in April. The Games is the 3rd largest International multi-sports event and is supported by the International Olympics Committee.

Bramble says "I cannot explain the joy it gave to me and how inspiring it is for every other athlete to see someone able to run a 100m in under 12 seconds when they were hospitalized for so long. But now it's time for the next world transplant games which will be in Perth in Australia, after being selected to run for team GB&NI again but this time in the 18 to 29 category, its even more full on with the top runners only 0.8 seconds slower than Usain bolts world record." 

Bramble had a challenging start to life. He was born with a rare liver disease, and despite surgery at just 7 weeks old and other medical interventions, needed to be listed for a liver transplant. At 8 months old he was in acute liver failure and no livers were coming up from the organ donor register. I was tested to see if I could be a living donor and was lucky enough to be a suitable match to donate part of my liver to him.

At 3 years old he had another huge setback; his bone marrow failed three times and then he developed aggressive PTLD, a rare cancer which can be a complication of transplantation. Bramble had emergency surgery to remove large tumours which were blocking his bowel then started 5 months of intensive inpatient immunotherapy and chemotherapy and finally, thankfully, went into remission.

After recovering, Bramble went from strength to strength, but having a transplant is a treatment, not a cure. Whilst post transplant families are always incredibly grateful for their donors and the medical expertise that saves and transforms lives, post transplant life involves regular rounds of immune suppression drugs, blood tests, hospital appointments, scans, biopsies, increased susceptibility to illness and infection, and more.

Children and young people may often feel different to their peers, some experience bullying, some struggle with the feeling of a lack of control over their lives and their own bodies. Bramble did not know anyone else that had had a transplant or could really understand his experiences. Being a parent of a child with complex medical needs can be an extremely isolating place, the fear of what the future holds can be so overwhelming at times and it has been very reassuring for all of us to meet other families with similar stories.

In 2016 we heard about the British Transplant Games. Bramble was really not sure they were for him. Neither of us knew what to expect or if we would like it, but we decided to give it a go and went to our first Games in Liverpool that year. Bramble was nervous before events, he doubted his ability to do well, but he refused to let the team down and gave his best every time. He joined in with team relays and consistently supported and motivated his team mates.

In subsequent years he excelled at the track events and surprised himself by winning gold medals in 100m and 200m. He was selected to be part of Team GB&NI at the World Transplant Games in 2019 in Newcastle. He not only won gold medals there but broke the Junior 100m and 200m World Transplant Games Records for his age category!

At his next hospital appointment he visited the paediatric transplant ward to ask if there were any families and/or young people that could do with a visit, he wanted to let children and their families know that they could still be healthy and active post-transplant, and I am so proud that Bramble wanted to give hope to some of these families.

Competing as part of the team is about more than just the medals - it is far more about happiness, confidence, friendship, being a team and connecting with other people who've had the same experiences. Bramble's confidence has increased after every Games and he has found new inspiration to keep training to be the best he can be. 

He is over the moon that he has been selected again to compete at the 2023 World Transplant Games in Perth in April. I will also be competing as part of the Donor Swim Team. 

After such a rough start it is amazing to see Bramble find something he is really good at, and to see him shine not only on the track but also off the track as he builds friendships, a support network for any forthcoming challenges, and starts to believe in himself more and more. He has such great plans for his future and every Games event he attends helps him get closer to his goals.

The World Transplant Games is the 3rd largest multi-national sports event and is supported by the International Olympics
Committee. It's expecting over 1000 athletes from around 60 countries around the globe. In addition to the physical sporting challenge, the World Transplant Games promotes the benefits of organ transplantation and highlights the need for organ donation. The GB&NI Transplant team receives no support from the government, National Lottery or other organisations, so individual
members have to fund themselves.

We have to pay or raise funds for our own transport to Perth in Australia, registration and accommodation for the Games, sports kit, and cover the cost of attending 2 mandatory training days in Oxford. Bram’s total costs come to around £4500 and mine will be around £3000. If you are able to make any contribution at all to support us it will be greatly appreciated. 

Our fundraising proceeds cannot be used to cover the cost of any holiday before or after our  participation at WTG nor can they be used as personal spending money. There is a process we follow if we are unable to attend, if you want to know more please contact me.

We understand that not everyone is in a position to be able to donate and either way, it would be amazing if you could please share this page on your social media. 

Most importantly, please go online to www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23 and make your organ donation wishes clear, then share your wishes with the people you love.

Thank you so much for your support, Frithe and Bramble

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