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Three years ago I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease which would result in the need for an organ transplant to keep me alive. This was an incredibly difficult time as I struggled with both the mental and physical effects of having organ failure. Thankfully, In September 2018 I came under the care of the Oxford Clinic and after a difficult 9 months my wonderful mum donated one of her kidneys to me. 

5 months after my transplant I participated in the British Transplant Games, competing in numerous events and winning Silver for Oxford in the 800m sprint. Running for over 40 years, The  British Transplant Games are a celebration of life. Taking place in different host cities every Summer, the games see teams from hospitals across the UK come together to compete in a medley of sports. The 4-day event attracts around 1000 transplant athletes and more than 1700 supporters. An inclusive Games:, transplant survivors including children as young as five can compete in more than 25 sports and indeed, many athletes also go on to compete at the  European and World Transplant Games.

The Games are organised on behalf of Transplant Sport whose aim is to raise awareness of the need for organ donation, encourage transplant recipients to lead active lifestyles and show appreciation for, and remember, donors and their families.

Participating in the games completely changed my perspective on the experience I had been through. It made me ambitious to lead a healthy, active lifestyle following my transplant, led me to make friends with those across the country with similar experiences as myself, and gave me hope that I could return to a normal and successful life. 

This year the European Transplant and Dialysis Games will be coming to the UK for the first time in August 2022. Based in Oxfordshire at Radley College and Blenheim Palace, the Games will involve organ transplant and kidney dialysis patients from over 25 European countries. It is a fantastic opportunity to see the life changing and life saving impact of organ donation for those with life threatening illnesses. Participation in over 15 different sports shows how severely ill individuals can overcome adversity and return to a normal and physically active life.

I am now healthy, happy and raring to give back to the charities that helped me through the most difficult part of my life. But there are those in less fortunate positions. The war in Ukraine has had a tragic impact on so many people in Ukraine, especially than those who have chronic illnesses. Bombing hospitals, blocking supplies of medication and cutting off water supplies has been life threatening for kidney dialysis patients and organ transplant patients dependent on daily medication to survive. Many have left Ukraine and are being supported across multiple European countries. 

Me and my fellow cyclist team (made up those with organ transplants) are raising money to bring a Team of Ukrainian transplant and dialysis patients to the European Transplant and Dialysis Games for the first time ever. This will be a way to demonstrate that there is hope for everyone including the chronically ill in Ukraine that they can overcome the terrible impact of the current invasion, as well as their health issues. 

I would massively appreciate your support in raising money for this worthy cause! 

Thank you

Matt 

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