Two people from Galway undergoing dialysis are gearing up to compete in the European Transplant and Dialysis Sports Championship next month.
Zimele Brown from Gleann na Rí in Renmore and Linda Waters from Athenry will participate in the games in Vantaa, Finland to celebrate life through sport and to highlight the importance of organ donations.
The two athletes are a part of Transplant Team Ireland, which consists of 29 athletes around the country ranging from ages 18 to 78.
Linda has endured a kidney and pancreas transplant and is currently undergoing haemodialysis treatment, which cleanses the blood of toxins, extra salts and fluids through a dialysis machine called artificial kidney.
Despite her unfortunate medical history, Linda always looks forward to these games. She sees the championship as another support system in her life.
“It’s like another team. Everyone has been through something difficult and everyone looks out for each other,” she said.
More importantly, it’s a way showing people the importance of organ donations and how they change lives.
“My donor was young and when you look at a young person these days they’re out playing sports and travelling. I feel like this is a way of honouring my donor and showing people that, yes, I’m still ill, but I’ve not given up,” Linda said.
This year, she’ll participate in the 50-59 age category for shot putt, tenpin bowling and petanque (a form of boules).
Zimele is also in preparations for the games. He’s originally from New Orleans, but has been living in Galway since 2010.
He’s currently waiting for a kidney transplant and is also undergoing haemodialysis treatment.
Zimele isn’t going into the games blindsided either, he has a bit of experience in the competition. In 2014’s games in Poland he received four medals.
“It’s a great to represent Ireland. I’ve never represented the US before in anything really.
“It’s a good way to meet other people on dialysis and hear their stories and find out any similarities or differences,” he said.
In this year’s games, he’ll be competing in the 30-30 age category for ten pin bowling and petanque.
He says he competes for his three beautiful teenage girls and his loving wife, who is his constant support system.
This is the ninth European Transplant and Dialysis Games and will take place July 10 -17.
Events include badminton, tennis, table tennis, cycling, darts, golf, petanque, swimming, ten pin bowling, mini-marathon and track and field.
Transplant Team Ireland has six newcomers and the most dialysis athletes to ever travel abroad to represent their country.
Out of the 23 men and 6 women on the Irish team, 22 of them are transplant recipients – 17 kidney, 4 liver and 1 combined kidney/pancreas, while seven of athletes are currently receiving dialysis treatment.
A newcomer to the games, but also the youngest team member is 18 year old Matthew NcNieve, a kidney transplant recipient from Mayo.
Also travelling with the group is Claire Kennedy, the team medical director, who works in the transplant department at Beaumont Hospital.
The inspirational athletes met with Dublin’s All-Star Alan Brogan for a motivational talk.
Nearly 500 participants from 25 countries throughout Europe will be involved in the biennial event. All athletes at the games will either be on a dialysis or have already received a kidney, liver, heart, lung pancreas or bone barrow transplant.
In Poland, the team was ranked in top three positions on the medals table, taking home an impressive 18 gold, 18 silver and 31 bronze medals.
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