John Loftus, Clarina, was pipped on the finishing line for gold in a thrilling100m final at the World Games in Bangkok last September.

Now he’s getting ready to depart for the European Transplant and Dialysis Games, which take place in Wurburg, Germany, from August 31st to September 5th.
John nearly died from a rare virus in 1992 and eight years ago he underwent a kidney transplant. The father of four is one of the 24 Irish representatives competing at the European Games.

“I contracted a rare virus in 1992 that nearly killed me – this led to the deterioration of my kidney function and I received a transplant in October 2000,” said John.

“Before the transplant I was on home dialysis for a year which was tough. I was attached to a machine for ten hours every night so I had to structure my life around the dialysis.”

The only Limerick-based competitor, John will compete as a Super Veteran and is hoping he can go one step further this year.

“I will be definitely hoping for a medal, if I avoid injury, and it would be great to get a gold. I have trained hard, despite some injury problems, and I am really looking forward to the Games,” said John.

He played hurling, soccer, rugby and Gaelic football, in which he captained Ballybrown to a county title. Hurling is his main sporting passion and he co-managed the Ballybrown hurling team to an All-Ireland Senior Club final in 1990.

The financial consultant with Canada Life won a bronze medal at badminton at the European Games in Slovenia 2004. He recently held a successful fund-raising barbecue for the team in De Bucket, Ferry Bridge, Clarina. “I am very grateful to all who supported the event,” he said.

He stressed the important role the transplant recipients play in raising awareness of organ donation.

“The people who benefit from the organ donations really need to champion the fact that they are a donor recipient and get out there and fight for the cause. We owe it to the system to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation,” John added.

John’s wife Trish, his 16 year-old daughter Tara, and his mother-in-law Josephine Lipper will travel to Germany to support his bid for world glory. Meanwhile his three sons Evan, Craig and Kyle will be lending their support from home.

You can follow John and the Irish team’s progress on www.transplantteamireland.com.

For an organ donor card free text the word ‘DONOR’ to 50500 or log on to www.ika.ie for more information.