Bridie Nicholson won Ireland’s first-ever gold medal in Petanque at the World Games in Bangkok last September, and she followed it up with a silver medal in Petanque doubles.

Ireland’s only double-transplanted team member, she is getting ready to compete in the fifth European Transplant & Dialysis Games, which take place in Wurzburg, Germany.

The brave Sligo woman underwent a kidney and pancreas transplant seven years ago and her life has been transformed ever since.

“I was chronically ill waiting on a transplant and I lived on daily insulin injections for almost 30 years. I was also on dialysis three times a week. But thanks to all those people in the medical services for their help and foremost to the donor, which led to me having a transplant, I am now able to compete,” said Bridie, who is a native of Calry but now lives in Sligo town.

“Despite taking very powerful immunosuppressant drugs to prevent rejection of the organs, I am one of the very few people who can say that they have been cured completely of diabetes.”

Last year she made national headlines when she won the Gold medal in a thrilling final. “I was absolutely over the moon with that win. I got a huge response from people back home, and I was given lots of opportunities to promote organ donation through talks to groups, radio and television interviews, and newspaper articles,” added Bridie.

The Sligo lady will travel to Germany to will represent her country for the fourth time.

“I am great believer in daily exercise, and clearly it has stood by me.  I left hospital after the transplant seven years ago and I have never been an in-patient since.  I have had no setbacks and I think this is a great inspiration to those waiting for transplants,” she added.

Bridie stresses the importance of organ donors and the need to create a greater awareness of the benefit of organ donation.

An employee at Sligo Library Headquarters, Bridie is currently organising the All-Ireland Petanque Singles and Doubles championships, which will take place at the Mitchell-Curley Park, Sligo, shortly after she returns from Germany in September. She is a member of the Council of the Irish Petanque Association. 

The European Transplant and Dialysis Games aim to highlight the importance of organ donation and promote the idea of healthy living through sport. They also allow the athletes an opportunity to give thanks for the gift of their transplants.

Ireland will send 24 athletes to the Games in Wurzburg, from August 31st to September 6th, and they will be joined by family and friends. “It’s not about the medals, but about the chance to celebrate the gift of life. That’s what makes these Games so special,” said team manager Colin White.

You can follow the athletes’ progress on www.transplantteamireland.com. For an organ donor card free text the word ‘DONOR’ to 50050 or for more information log on to www.ika.ie.