TRANSPLANT Team Ireland, which included a number of Northsiders, returned home from the European Transplant & Dialysis Games in Krakow at the weekend with a fantastic medal haul.
The Irish team won 18 gold, 18 silver and 31 bronze medals. Medals for doubles and triple events counted as one medal in the table.
Peter Heffernan, a kidney transplant recipient from Skerries, was just one of the local success stories.
Peter showed great stamina when competing in the very intense swimming competitions and was delighted to secure a bronze medal in the 100m back stroke.
“I enjoyed all the races and I swam to the best of my ability,
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“It is great to be taking part in a sport that I have always loved.
“Of course it is fantastic to be able to enjoy the gift of life and to see so many other athletes enjoying the gift of life also.
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Ireland team captain Harry Ward, from Baldoyle, led by example, winning a bronze medal in doubles badminton with Tipperary teenager Andrew Duncan.
Deirdre Faul, a liver transplant recipient from Dalkey, bagged a staggering four medals, one silver and three bronze.
Transplant Team Ireland comprised 34 athletes (25 men and nine women) ranging in age from 16 to 76 years. It included 29 transplant recipients (five liver, 22 kidney, one combined kidney and pancreas, and one bone marrow transplant), as well as five people who are receiving dialysis treatment.
For an organ donor card Freetext the word DONOR to 50050 or visit www.ika.ie It is also possible to download an organ donor card on smartphones by searching for
‘Donor ECard’ at the iphone store or android market place. Your wishes to be an organ donor can also be included on the new format driving licence which is represented by Code 115.