Renmore woman named on Irish team for World Transplant Games

A Renmore woman has been named on the 24-strong panel which will represent Ireland at the 19th World Transplant Games in South Africa, which take place from Sunday July 28 to Sunday August 4.

It will be the second World Transplant Games for Sinead McGowan, who hails from Larchfield Avenue in Renmore, having participated in the 2011 Games in Sweden, just two years after receiving a kidney transplant from her brother.

“I received a kidney from my brother in October 2009 and after a year on dialysis, it changed my life. I have travelled the world, lived in Australia until my work took me to Shanghai in March this year where I will be for the next year or so,” says McGowan.

She will compete both in the pool and on the track at the Games in Durban, taking part in three swimming events – the 50m freestyle, the 100m freestyle and the 4 x 50m freestyle relay – as well as five track & field events: the 400m, the 800m, the 4 x 100m relay, the 4 x 400m relay, and the 1,500m.

“2011 was my first World Transplant Games in Sweden and I was lucky to win some medals! I just learned to swim properly this year so the 50m swim will be an interesting event for me. Hopefully I make it to the end!

“To me, the Games are a fantastic way for all recipients to show their gratitude to their donors, celebrate good health and have some fun on the way,” she says.

The Irish team of 24 athletes have all received organ transplants including kidney, pancreas, liver, and heart. Seven of the kidney recipients received their transplant from living donors. Two of the younger members of the team have just completed their Junior and Leaving Certificate exams.

Speaking at ALSAA on Sunday, National Team Manager, Colin White and World Transplant Games Federation Councillor said that “

“The athletes participation in the Games offered a great opportunity to showcase the success of organ donation and transplantation,” said national team manager and World Tranbsplant Games Federation councillor, Colin White.

“Their achievements offer inspiration to others experiencing organ failure and an impetus to the general public to embrace organ donation”.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.