Transplant Team Ireland - Cork athletes and physio off to European Games

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Cork athletes and physio off to European Games

Written by Colin White

Friday, 29 August 2008

Catherine Murphy

A group of five athletes, plus the team physio, will make up a big Cork contingent representing Ireland at next week’s European Transplant & Dialysis Games, in Wurzburg, Germany – and their main mission is to spread the gospel of organ donation.

Ireland will send 24 athletes to the Games which run 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.

The five Cork athletes are Joseph Burke, Bantry; Catherine Murphy, Aghabullogue; Charlie Ryan, Cobh; Valerie Twomey, Crosshaven; and Daniel McCarthy, Midleton. Clare Hogan, Fermoy, will act as team physio.

Last year, Catherine was a medal winner at the World Transplant Games in Bangkok, Thailand, while Daniel also competed in the world finals.

“I had Budd Chiarri Syndrome, which is a clot in the hepatic vein, and I was very ill. I was so lucky to get a donor. I wouldn’t be here without the generosity of the people who choose to donate their organs,” said Catherine.

“It was only after I had the transplant that I realised the importance of organ donors and cards. That’s why I take part in Games like these, because I want to give thanks for the gift of the transplant.”

Valerie Twomey received a new kidney in June 2006, having come through a quadruple heart bypass in October 2000. “One of my goals when I had the transplant was to get back playing tennis, and to attempt competing in the National Games first, and then maybe international games,” said Valerie.

“In January this year, I started back, and have already taken part in the National Games, the UK Games, and the US Games. I won medals in the National and UK Games, and I am looking forward now to Germany.

Charlie Ryan

Darts will be one of Charlie’s sports, and eight friends from The Quarry Cock Bar, where he trains for darts, will travel to Germany to support him. The retired skipper underwent a liver transplant a year ago.

Team physio Clare is a physiotherapist at Cork University Hospital, where she has experience of working with dialysis patients in the hospital’s renal unit. “There is a lot of research which shows that exercise can be of huge benefit to dialysis patients,” said Clare. “I am really looking forward to attending the Games.”

Daniel McCarthy has written a book on his life, after being given only three weeks to live at birth. He has had a heart bypass and a heart transplant, and two years ago won gold, silver and bronze medals at the European Games.

Valerie Twomey

Clare Hogan

Daniel McCarthy

Joseph Burke

Bantry farmer Joseph Burke made headlines in recent years when he fought the ESB against the erection of a 38kv power line - but he hopes to be in the news for a different reason after taking part in the Games. “It’s not all about trophies and medals" it’s more than that. It is to show people on dialysis or who have had transplants what can be achieved, and to give them the courage to keep fighting,” said Joseph, who will compete in the long jump, the 100m sprint, and ten pin bowling.

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.

Log onto www.transplantteamireland.com to follow the team’s progress. For Organ Donor Cards freetext the word DONOR to 50050 or visit the Irish Kidney Association website www.ika.ie

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