HARRY Ward, from Baldoyle, recently captained the Irish team to medal glory at the World Transplant Games.
Twenty-four brave athletes arrived home from the Games in Durban, South Africa, with an impressive haul of 34 medals – 12 gold, 10 silver and 12 bronze.
The Irish team, ranging in age from 12 to 68, were placed 14th overall on the medals table which involved participation by almost 1,000 organ transplant recipients from 50 countries.
Also in attendance at the airport to greet the team was Transplant Surgeon David Hickey from Beaumont Hospital, revered by many members of the team whose kidney transplants were carried out by him.
While temperatures were averaging in the comfortable mid-20s at the games, Transplant Team Ireland embraced the new culture surrounding them. Old friendships were rekindled and new ones made with transplant recipients from around the world.
Even those who didn’t secure medals, in the true spirit of the games, tried their best to represent their country and honour their organ donors for their precious gift of life.
For organ donor cards Freetext DONOR to 50050 of contact the Irish Kidney Association on locall 1890 543639 or log on to www.ika.ie You can now store your donor card details on your smart phone by downloading the free Organ Donor Ecard app.