This week the World Transplant Games get underway, and for the first time ever the games will be taking place in Newcastle and Gateshead. The World Transplant Games are a celebration of a second chance of life, and show the success of transplant surgery. This year’s games are taking place from 17th-23rdAugust and include events such as cycling, swimming, football, golf, badminton and much more. Participants are all recipients of organ or tissue transplants, however there are also events for donors.
There are around 6080 people on the transplant waiting list in the UK, including around 150 children and teenagers. On average three people die every day who could have benefited from an organ transplant. The World Transplant Games aim to raise public awareness of organ and tissue donation. You can support donation by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk. You can also text WTG2019 to 70300 to donate £3 which will be received by the Graham Wylie Foundation.
I wish all participants the best of luck and hope that the 2019 World Transplant Games are a fantastic success!