“If you believe in organ donation, speak to your family and make them aware of your wishes, it could make a massive difference and give someone like me the second gift of life.”
Meet Kathryn Glover, who is representing Northern Ireland at the World Transplant Games this week – something that seemed impossible almost 20 years ago.
In 2005, Kathryn, from Ballygowan, was diagnosed with IGA Nephropathy and spent four years on peritoneal dialysis in the Renal Unit at the Ulster Hospital. Her life changed in 2009 when she received a life-saving kidney transplant after a six-year battle against a life-threatening kidney disease.
It’s been a tough journey for Kathryn since then, but she has continued to excel, winning multiple medals across a range of sporting disciplines.
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“In late 2003, I found blood in my urine and, quite quickly after that, I was diagnosed with a kidney disease called IgA nephropathy and within a year I was put on the transplant list,” Kathryn previously said.
“I started dialysis in 2005, which required me going onto a machine every night, for around eight hours. That had a huge impact on my life mainly in terms of lack of sleep, strict diet, water allowance and how tired my body was.”
While undergoing treatment, primary school teacher Kathryn was still able to work but it was a gruelling four-year period.
“I just kept going as much as I could, because I was determined to not let dialysis get on top of me or my job,” she said.
Kathryn also faced the mental and emotional strain of being on the organ transplant list. Patients on the list never know when or if they will receive a transplant, because it depends on a viable organ becoming available from a person who has passed away while they were in hospital.
This year marks a milestone, as it is the first time Northern Ireland has its own team at the World Transplant Games and kidney transplant patient Kathryn, is proudly representing NI this week at the 25th Games in Dresden, Germany.
Running for almost 50 years and often referred to as a “celebration of life,” the World Transplant Games aim to promote organ donation, encourage people worldwide to register as donors and inspire transplant recipients to maintain their health and fitness.
The Games also provide an opportunity to honour organ donors and their families and have become the world’s largest awareness event for the gift of life.
Kathryn, who is also the Assistant NI Team Manager, explained how she first got involved: “I had an interest in the Transplant Games back in 2010 when I read an article saying that the British Transplant Games were coming to Belfast in 2011 and they were looking for volunteers. I decided that I would like to compete instead of just volunteering!
“Since then, I have taken part in 13 British Games and five World Transplant Games. This year in Dresden, I am competing in the 50m backstroke, 200m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and discus. But what I am really excited about is the swimming leg of the triathlon team relay, a 500-metre outdoor swim, followed by a 20K cycle from a teammate and a 5K run from another transplant recipient.
“This is only the second time a triathlon has featured at the World Games and the first time Northern Ireland has competed in this category,” she added.
Kathryn is passionate about inspiring other transplant recipients to take up sport and exercise: “I think the biggest thing is people are afraid to get into exercise post-transplant. There is nothing to be afraid of. We have athletes in the Games competing in everything from ten-pin bowling to high-impact sports like swimming, cycling and track and field. It is about setting yourself a goal, starting slowly, building up and you absolutely can do it.”
Highlighting the importance of organ donation, Kathryn added: “All 22 athletes from Northern Ireland competing in Dresden have been given the gift of life. They are the absolute epitome of organ donation. If you believe in organ donation, speak to your family and make them aware of your wishes, it could make a massive difference and give someone like me the second gift of life.”
The World Transplant Games take place in Dresden this week, showcasing the strength, determination and gratitude of transplant recipients from across Northern Ireland.
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