New Zealand Team goes to the World Transplant Games, Australia
This year the Transplant Games Association of New Zealand has a team of 25 athletes (4 juniors and 21 adults) and 25 supporters (including Team Physio and Team Manager) going to the 17th World Transplant Games being held on the Gold Coast, Australia, 22-30th August. The competitors are unique in that each one of them is alive today as a result of their successful organ transplants. Our four junior team members are all liver transplant recipients and our adult athletes include bone marrow, heart, kidney, kidney pancreas, liver and lung recipients.
The World Transplant Games have been in existence for over 30 years and since their early beginnings in 1978 with some 99 competitors, they have grown and now attract over 2000 competitors from over 50 countries. The Games are held every two years and embrace all ages, from four to 85 years young! Participants must be medically fit to take part, with no significant complications from their transplant surgery and have received their lifesaving organ transplant at least one year before the games take place.
All sports are included, everything from 10 pin bowling, tennis, volleyball, athletics, swimming, badminton, golf and cycling to name just a few. The standards at the games are very high and many records are held.
The World Transplant Games are the single biggest organ donation and transplantation awareness event in the world and the ideal way of showing the world what a difference organ donation can make. We are proud to have supported our New Zealand team with a donation towards their funding. We will also be updating our website with all the news & photos from the team when the games finish at the end of August.
The New Zealand Transplant Games Association has been set up with the primary aim of seeing a New Zealand team compete in the biennial World Transplant Games held in various locations around the world. They work hard to secure funding and grants so team members are able to participate.
If you would like to support the NZ Transplant Games Association and their athletes please contact:
Ray Morrissey
Email: raymorrissey@xtra.co.nz
Mob: 027 251 4560
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