Gloucestershire team to compete at the British Transplant Games
Some of this year's team share their stories ahead of the Games which begin 31 July - 3 August.
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Adam's story
From Dialysis to Driving the Green: Adam’s Journey to the British Transplant Games
Thirteen years ago, Adam Collins from Cirencester was told he had just 8% kidney function. Today, at 57, he’s preparing to represent Gloucestershire in golf at the British Transplant Games in Oxford on Friday 1 August - a powerful testament to the gift of life his brother gave him.
“I’ve been very lucky,” Adam says. “One day I was at work, the next I was being rushed to hospital. My brother Steven didn’t hesitate - he offered me his kidney. He was a match, and a year after starting dialysis, I had my transplant at Churchill Hospital in Oxford.”
Six months later, Adam married his wife, Emma. His recovery was steady, and though he still takes daily medication, he’s back to doing what he loves - walking the golf course four times a week. “I’d actually given up golf before the transplant. I was too tired, too unwell. But now, I’m back in love with the game.”
Adam’s story is one of resilience, family, and second chances. He and Steven are closer than ever, and Adam says he’ll always be indebted to his brother. “The transplant didn’t just save my life - it gave me my life back.”
You can help give someone else a second chance. Register your decision to be an organ and tissue donor on the Organ Donation Register.
Craig and Sharon's story
Sharon to represent Gloucestershire at the British Transplant Games
Sharon Shuttleworth will run the 5K donor race on Saturday 2 August at the British Transplant Games in Oxford. It’s a remarkable milestone in her journey as a living kidney donor.
Sharon, 44, donated a kidney through the paired donor scheme on 14 April enabling her husband Craig, 46, to receive a life-changing transplant on the same day at Churchill Hospital, Oxford.
Now, just months after their surgeries, Sharon is taking on the challenge of the 5K run. She began with the Couch to 5K programme, as a reintroduction to exercise. She is in her third year as a Physiotherapy student at the University of Gloucestershire while working as a Physiotherapy Assistant for Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust.
Craig, from Gloucester, is keen to join the Games next year: “The Transplant Games are something that I focus on in a positive way because I’m very sporty and active. It is something that I can really sort of set my sights to.”
Craig has Alport syndrome which is a rare genetic disorder characterised by progressive loss of kidney function. For him, it was a decline in kidney function since childhood. He was able to avoid dialysis and is recovering well. His care team, initially at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, will resume follow-up treatment locally in the coming months.
Gloucestershire Kidney Patient Association have been at the hospital, where Craig was able to meet a transplant recipient and talk through questions. This was an important part of his journey and very reassuring.
You can help give someone else a second chance. Register your decision to be an organ and tissue donor on the Organ Donation Register.
“Gloucestershire Kidney Patients Association is proud to be sponsoring the Gloucester Team who are competing in the Transplant Games. We’d like to wish good luck to Sharon in the donor run and hopefully see Craig joining in next year. We’re glad we could help them on their journey. Kidney disease affects all aspects of life for kidney patients and their families. Transplants can completely transform their lives. Organ donation can only happen due to the generosity of donors and their families, either living or deceased. As a charity we wanted to support the team at the games to show what can be achieved after a transplant and to pay tribute to all the donors and their families.”
Gloucestershire Kidney Patients Association
Ian's story
Ian joins the Gloucestershire team for the British Transplant Games
Ian Wright, 67 will be competing in archery and golf at the British Transplant Games in Oxford on 31 July – 3 August.
Ian and wife Kim, from Gloucester, were delighted when their friend David offered to donate his kidney to Ian back in 2016. Kim said: “We regard David as one of the family. We’ve been friends for more than 35 years since our children were at the same school. I failed the matching test and Ian’s family were unable to be tested due to health issues. We couldn’t believe it when David was a match.”
At 18 during basic training in the Army, it was discovered that he had a problem with his kidneys. It wasn’t until Ian was in his 50s that he was told that his kidneys were failing and eventually a transplant would be needed.
Ian received his transplant at Southmead Hospital, Bristol and was on dialysis the year before his transplant while working full-time. He receives his post-transplant checks at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
Recovery hasn’t been easy. He shielded for 18 months during the pandemic but later in 2021 unfortunately caught Covid and was in an induced coma for 3 weeks and in hospital for a further 12 weeks. He has had long Covid, skin cancers, mobility issues and diabetes.
Ian said: “I don’t know if I’d be here without David. He's just an incredible man and I am truly grateful.”
Archery is new to Ian but he is a regular golfer and is looking forward to both events at the British Transplant Games, alongside the rest of the Gloucestershire team.
You can register your decision to be an organ and tissue donor on the Organ Donation Register.