Helen Wilson has achieved more success with a gold in shot putt and discuss at the European Transplant and Dialysis Games.
As well as becoming a double European gold medalist, Helen, who is from Wokingham, also competed in javelin and recorded a season’s best which saw her finish in fourth position.
“I’m really excited to have had the opportunity to compete in a European Games and represent my donors, my hospitals and everyone who has kept me alive over the years as well as my country,” said Helen.
“It is a fantastic opportunity to show what can be achieved when given a second, or in my case, third chance at life.
“Having been diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease in 2000, I had both my kidneys removed in May 2006 and went on to dialysis.
“My amazing brother Steve volunteered out of the blue to be a donor for me and by giving me one of his kidneys, gave me my life back, free of dialysis.
“A few years later we found that I also had a polycystic liver and having once again become incredibly unwell, thanks to an amazing donor family, I was given a new liver which once again gave me my life back. I have not looked back since.”
The European Transplant and Dialysis Games were first staged in Athens in 2000 and subsequently have been held bi-annually in nine different European countries.
In August 2022 the European Games came to the United Kingdom for the first time, with Oxford hosting the event.
The Games are similar to the Paralympics Games or Invictus Games and are vital in helping to promote the huge benefits of organ donation and the amazing life-saving impact of organ transplantation as well as helping to encourage people to share their organ donation wishes with their loved ones.
Over 450 transplant recipients and dialysis patients travelled from over 25 countries across Europe to compete in sporting events including everything from football and volleyball to discus and petanque.
Team Great Britain and Northern Ireland was the largest team taking part, with 186 competitors from across the UK including 12 dialysis patients and 5 donor families and live donors.
Helen is now hoping for selection for the World Transplant Games which will be taking place in Australia in April 2023 and will continue to look for opportunities to raise awareness about the Transplant Games and the importance of organ donation.
