Lahinch woman Marie O’Connor arrived home from the Bangkok Games last September with two gold medals for golf, two silver medals for squash and the 200m, and a bronze for the 100m – and now she’s off to Wurzburg Germany, for the European Transplant Games.

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.

Marie stresses the importance of organ donors and the need to create a greater awareness of the benefit of organ donation. She underwent her second kidney transplant in 1998 after an unsuccessful transplant in 1996.

“I was quite competitive before I got sick. I played football and camogie. When the doctors said I said I couldn’t play contact sport I was devastated,” she said.

“But my motto in life is that you don’t give up. I started to play golf and I really enjoy it.”

Just recently, she won the captain’s prize at the local golf club and she hopes this is a good omen in advance of the European Games, which aim to highlight the importance of organ donation and the benefits of healthy living through sport.

They also allow the athletes an opportunity to give thanks for the gift of their transplants.

Marie first became sick just before Christmas in 1990. She was three months in hospital before her kidney problems were diagnosed.
After three and a half years on dialysis Marie received a kidney in 1996. “The dialysis is tough but you get used to it, it becomes a part of your life,” she said.

Unfortunately the transplant did not take, and the Clare received a second kidney donation in 1998. This year she will celebrate the tenth anniversary of the second transplant.

“I live for the moment. That’s what I have learned. You enjoy every day,” added Marie.

For organ donor cards free text the word ‘DONOR’ to 50050 or log on to www.ika.ie for more information. You can follow the progress of the Irish team at the Games on www.transplantteamireland.com.