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Transplant Team Ireland

Countdown to World Transplant Games - Sweden 2011   2011-6-17 17:00:00 GMT+00:00

Home arrow Athletes arrow Tony Gartland arrow Hacketstown Athlete Tony Ready for Another Appearance on the World Stage
Hacketstown Athlete Tony Ready for Another Appearance on the World Stage PDF Print E-mail
Written by Colin White   
Saturday, 25 July 2009
ImageA Co. Wicklow athlete is off to Australia next month (AUGUST) as a member of the Irish team in the World Transplant Games – and, in their own eyes, all 19 team members are winners already by just getting to the starting-line. Carpenter Tony Gartland, Hacketstown, is looking forward to competing in the life-affirming games, where, between them, the Irish team members have 13 new kidneys, five new livers and one new kidney-pancreas.

The squad will travel to Gold Coast, Australia, on Tuesday, August 18th. Tony had a liver transplant in 1993, and has since enjoyed what he calls “perfect health.”

The former Gaelic footballer has thrown himself into the world of athletics with gusto. One of the leading lights of the Irish team, this will he his sixth World Games, and he has previously won one gold, four silver and eight bronze medals. He will run in the 5k road run, 5k race walk, and the 800m and 1500m track races.

“I had a long term condition prior to the transplant. When I received the transplant I didn’t appreciate it at first. But now I am aware of the huge difference it has made to my life. I really live life to the full now,” said Tony.

“I really enjoy the camaraderie between the Irish team and the competitors at the Games and I will do the very best in my event. But I won’t take anything for granted.”

“It’s not really about winning, it’s all about taking part. We honour our donors by showing that organ transplantation works. That’s a vital message to promote as the need for a life-saving organ transplant can visit a family with devastating speed, and at any age, even babies and children,” said team captain Mick Dwyer, who ten years ago had a kidney transplant.

Team manager Colin White paid tribute to the determination of the athletes taking part. “They have worked very hard to prepare for the Games, and they will help to show the world that you can enjoy a great life after receiving a transplant,” he said.

The full Irish team is:
Paul Donohoe (Cavan); Michael Dwyer (captain, Dublin); Deirdre Faul (vice-captain, Dublin); Tony Gartland (Wicklow); James Hannon (Longford);  John Loftus (Limerick); Philip Martin (Dublin); Tom Metcalfe (Dublin); Linda Meyler (Galway); Catherine Murphy (Cork); James Nolan (Kildare); John Paul O’Neill (Kilkenny); Paul Prendergast (Dublin); Orla Hogan-Ryan (Tipperary); Charlie Ryan (Cork); Leonard Ryan (Dublin); Angela Sherlock (Dublin); Harry Ward (Dublin); and Vienna White (Donegal.)
The team will be accompanied by manager Colin White; team doctor Emer Kilbride; physio Clare Hogan; and Mark Murphy, the CEO of the Irish Kidney Association, who is also a member of the World Transplant Games governing body. The team kit is sponsored by Shire Pharmaceuticals.

A special website has been built – www.transplantteamireland.com – where supporters can follow the team’s progress and send on messages of support. The site profiles each athlete and will carry daily updates on how the athletes are getting on.

For an organ donor card FREETEXT the word ‘DONOR’ to 50050.
 
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