Local girls ready for Transplant Games challenge


Hannah Kee.	Sharon Millen.

TWO LISBURN girls are preparing to compete in the Westfield Health British Transplant Games in Belfast next week. Hannah Kee and Sharon Millen are looking forward to the challenge after receiving life saving transplants.

Hannah will be competing in the 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, 800m track, 3km walk, 1500 track, swim relay and the track relay during the games while Sharon will tackle the 100m, 200m, relay, long jump, high jump and canoeing.

The British Transplant Games exist to encourage those who have received a transplant to lead active and healthy lives while showcasing the benefits of transplantation, and in doing so, to raise awareness of the need for more people to sign on to the NHS Organ Donor Register. In Northern Ireland today, 300 people are waiting for a life saving transplant. Three die each day in the UK waiting.

Around 600 inspiring athletes from across the UK, each of whom has received a life saving organ transplant, will descend on Belfast along with around 1000 supporters to take part in 20 different sporting activities over the four day event.

Athletes are aged between two and 82 and will compete in competitions including archery, athletics, golf, squash, snooker, tennis and swimming. Competition will be fierce, but the athletes have already won the race for life — winning a medal will simply be a bonus.

Dr. Eddie Rooney, Chair of the local organising committee and Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency is very much looking forward to a wonderful event with
lasting impact.

He said: "The Games came to Belfast in 1998 and it appears that we really left a lasting impression, with many visitors then hailing it as one of the best games ever, we hope that this year we can make an even bigger impact. and give our athletes and their friends and families memories that they will cherish forever while helping to sign more people onto the NHS Organ Donor Register."
To find out more about the Westfield Health British Transplant Games please visit www.transplantsport.org.uk.

To Join the NHS Organ Donor Register and help save lives TEXT: SAVE to 84118, call 0300 123 2323 or visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk

Ulster Star
29/07/2011