Team Transplant Ireland boss has a global story to tell

Orla O'Driscoll

LEAVING Dublin as a 15-year-old to live in Africa was not on the agenda for most Irish teens in the 1980s. But faced with the option of boarding school, one boy left and didn’t plan to come back.

Today, Colin White manages Team Transplant Ireland who, in June, will participate in the European Transplant & Dialysis Championships. 

Colin explains: “We have 24 participants ranging from 31 to 80. That’s 24 stories. Three people on dialysis, five liver recipients, 16 kidney recipients, and their families and friends.”

His journey to his current role may have had serendipity at play.

He says: “When I was 15, my dad took an opportunity to work on an Irish Aid project in Africa. I had finished my Inter Cert and the options were boarding school or Africa.”

Colin stayed in Africa, finished his second level education, then went to the UK for university, and eventually a teaching degree, before returning to work in Africa.

In 1994, Colin met his wife, Chicco, and in 1996, he persuaded her to come to Ireland to meet his family. 

“And to experience Irish weather,” he laughs. 

They married in 1999.However, a short time later, Chicco became ill, and multiple visits to multiple doctors were inconclusive. 

Colin got a job offer in Harare, resulting in a move from their township, on the edge of the Kalahari. 

It meant advanced medical services and just before Christmas 2000, Chicco was diagnosed with end stage kidney failure.

Chicco says: “At last, after so many doctors, it seemed we had an answer, so while it was very frightening and sad, it was also great, because we had an answer.” 

Colin remembers phoning his mother.

“My mum got in touch with the Irish Kidney Association and explained the circumstances. They gave the contact in Beaumont Hospital, we got in touch and started exchanging blood results. They asked questions, we found the answers and faxed the information back.”

On Valentine’s Day 2001, they left Africa.

Fast forward to 2005. Having worked for Prosper Fingal, Colin was offered a job with the Irish Kidney Association, a part-time role which quickly became full-time.

His role was to structure the team criteria and to promote inclusion for all transplant patients.

Chicco now manages her dialysis at home in Balbriggan.

“It’s four times a week,” she says. “I am not on the transplant list because of complications. It has been a very tough journey.”

For Chicco, the games are an opportunity to defend her European champion title at Petanque, French Bowls.

“I am so proud to take part,” she enthuses. “It is amazing to be a part of it.”

Colin says the games send out a clear message of what organ donation can achieve.

“Organ donation is vital,” he believes. “It changes outcomes, not just for one person – it’s a ripple effect.”

There are 26 countries with 472 participants expected to take part in the games.