Trust teams shine at the Transplant Games

Transplant patients from across the Trust have returned from last weekend's Transplant Games in a blaze of glory, having secured dozens of medals in a huge range of events. 

The annual event, which took place in Sheffield this year, gives transplant patients of all ages and backgrounds the chance to come together and take part in wide variety of activities, from cycling and swimming to racquet sports, running and archery. 

Evelina London sent a huge group to this year's games. Over 30 VIPs aged 2-17 years old (Very Important Penguins, referring to the urology and kidney departments on Penguin Ward) took part in the games, bringing back an incredible 46 medals, including 15 golds. 

Alongside the huge medal haul, the VIPs won the prestigious 'Best Kidney Kids' award for the second year running. 

The Evelina London kidney transplant service was the first ever established children's kidney programme in the UK when it began in 1968. The service now treats a fifth of the UK's child kidney transplant patients in an average year. 

Evelina London paediatric advance nurse practitioner and Evelina VIPs team manager, Grainne Walsh, said:

"The Transplant Games are our way of supporting families beyond the clinical setting, helping children build friendships with people who truly understand their experiences. 

"These children have overcome enormous challenges and the Games are a celebration of everything have achieved. It's about helping them realise they can get on in life, chase their ambitions and change the world."

Travel and accommodation for the Evelina VIPs was once again funded by a generous grant from the Evelina London Children's Charity, enabling patients and families to attend and take part who may not have had the chance otherwise. 

It wasn't just the Evelina VIPs making a splash at the Games. The Harefield and Guy's teams secured dozens of medals between them in a range of events. Harefield team member, Dave Webb, even composed the anthem for this year's games. 

Dave said: "I wrote Fanfare and Overture as a gift to the Games and toe celebrate what organ donation makes possible." 

"The Games are just an amazing celebration of this incredible community."

As well as the Games, transplant recipients, donor families, competitors, family members and friends take to the streets of the host city to take part in the 5 kilometre Donor Run to raise awareness of the benefits fo transplantation and give tribute to organ donors. 

Visit NHS Blood and Transplant’s website to learn more about organ donation.