Celebrating life, health and second chances: how our charity is supporting Team Royal Derby at the Transplant Games
Our charity is proud to support a truly inspiring group of individuals who are preparing to compete in the 2025 British Transplant Games, taking place this summer from 31 July to 3 August in Oxford.
The British Transplant Games is more than a sporting event; it’s a powerful celebration of life. It highlights the transformative impact of organ donation and encourages transplant recipients to regain fitness and confidence post-surgery.
The Games also provide an opportunity to thank donor families and raise vital awareness about the importance of organ donation.
This year, ten kidney transplant recipients from University Hospitals of Derby & Burton NHS Foundation Trust (Team Royal Derby) will be taking part in the British Games, but the journey doesn’t stop there. Three of our Team Royal Derby competitors —Shelley, Susie and Mark, have also qualified for the World Transplant Games, held this year in Dresden, Germany from 17 to 25 August.
The trio will compete alongside over 2,000 athletes from 60 countries, all of whom have received life-saving transplants.
Meet our World Games competitors:
Shelley
Shelley received a kidney and pancreas transplant from the same donor in 2015. A former nurse from Royal Derby’s renal unit, Shelly is now celebrating her 10-year transplant anniversary and is taking part in tenpin bowling.
“My donor lives on in me and my family,” Shelley says. “It’s the reason I can still work, raise my children and live life to the full. Organ donation has kept my family together.”
Susie
Susie had a multi visceral transplant at Addenbrookes hospital in 2019. She received a kidney, pancreas, small bowel and large bowel from her donor.
She is competing in the 200 metre sprint, 3k power walk and table tennis.
Susie honours her donor’s memory by sending her prized medals to her donor family. Keeping her donor’s memory alive is her daily motivation. This helps her when training in all kinds of weather. Susie says, “Everything I do is to thank my donor’s family. They are the true hero’s.”
Mark
Mark received his kidney transplant in 2021. He will represent Team Royal Derby in javelin and basketball at the World Games.
“Never in a million years did I think I’d get this chance,” he says. “This is my way of saying thank you to the NHS and the incredible donor families who make second chances possible.”
Leading with passion and purpose
Rani Uppal, Renal Manager at The Royal Derby Hospital, has led the Transplant Games team for 12 years. Her passion for the cause shines through:
“The Games represent a proud moment. Our dedicated teams see patients at their lowest point pre-transplant and then we see them competing. It’s an emotional and powerful journey and one we are proud to be part of. The Games are the perfect platform to highlight the importance of organ donation and we are so grateful that our hospital charity can support patients to take part.”
More than medals
The Games have three core aims:
- Empowering transplant recipients to lead active, fulfilling lives.
- Demonstrating the life-changing power of organ transplantation.
- Raising awareness about organ donation and the ongoing need for donors.
The event mirrors the Olympic Games, with opening and closing ceremonies and a uniquely emotional presence of donor families who are honoured throughout the event. Importantly, you don’t need to be an elite athlete to take part. Participation in the British Games is open to all transplant recipients, regardless of ability.
Our charity’s role
Jill Matthews, Chief Officer of Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity is pleased that donations and fundraising received by the charity can help to support patients attend the games. Jill said, “The Transplant Games is a wonderful initiative that we are privileged to support. Our transplant patients are truly inspirational and their stories highlight the real, lasting impact of organ donation. Sharing their own personal journeys really does help raise awareness in such a powerful way. I’d like to wish Shelley, Susie, Mark and everyone taking part in both the British and World Transplant Games the best of luck.”
To help future transplant recipients take part, the World Games participants are fundraising on behalf of our charity. “Not all hospitals support the Games like the UHDB staff and the Derby & Burton Hospital Charity does. That’s why I fundraise – to give back. I’ve organised concerts and community talks with groups like the Rotary Club and Women’s Institute to raise awareness of organ donation and the work of Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity.” said Susie.
How you can help
There are a number of ways you can show your support. Whether this is through:
- Donations to our charity to fund more initiatives like this.
- Sharing our participants’ stories to raise awareness of importance and impact organ donation.
- Joining the NHS Organ Donation Register – organ donation can save up to nine lives (NHS Organ Donation).
- Having a conversation with loved ones about organ donation.
- Or sharing a simple “good luck” message via our Facebook page.
