Hugo Boyce – from Clonmany – will travel to Bangkok to compete in the 16th World Transplant Games, which run from Saturday, August 25th until Sunday, September 2nd.

“I got non-hodgkinsons lymphoma when I was 19 and I was in St Luke’s hospital from 1969 until 1971,” said the golfer.

“The doctors believe the radium treatment I was given led to the deterioration of my kidneys and I received a transplant in 1988. I was on dialysis for three and a half years before the transplant.

“It was a tough time but there are people who did not make it and I am very thankful to have been given the chance. I am enjoying great health since.”

This will be Hugo’s second time competing in the World Games and he will compete in golf, ten pin bowling and petanque.
“I play golf and bowl about twice a week in preparation for the competition,” he said.

The Donegal man – who is director of the popular Clonmany festival – won a gold medal for golf in Canada 2005 but believes the main priority is taking part and promoting organ donation awareness.

“People say they would like to donate organs but they don’t carry the organ donor cards so it is important to keep everybody aware,” said Hugo.

The Transplant Games are a chance for those who have received organs to give thanks for their gift and show what can be achieved through organ donation.

“My wife Lucy will travel to Bangkok to keep an eye on me. Our dog Faldo will stay at home where I will have plenty of support from all my brothers and sisters,” he added..

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