Medals galore for South London transplant patients at annual games

About 240 organ transplant patients, organ donors and their families from Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals have returned from the British Transplant Games victorious with a total of 97 medals.

The three teams from the Trust, which included heart, lung and kidney transplant recipients, competed at the annual event in Nottingham.

Topping the podium were 30 Evelina London kidney transplant patients, supported by Evelina London Children’s Charity. The group are nicknamed the Evelina VIPs (Very Important Penguins, referring to the hospital’s urology and kidney department, Penguin Ward).

Across the weekend, the team won 12 gold, 10 silver and 21 bronze medals and thanks to their high medal count were named winners of the kidney category at the event.

The group of three to 17-year olds, all of whom have received a kidney transplant, competed in multiple events across track and field, archery, cycling, swimming and racquet sports.

The Evelina London kidney transplant service was this country’s first established children’s kidney programme, pioneering children’s transplantation in 1968. There are currently 100 children under the continued care of Evelina London’s Kidney Transplant team.

Transplant paediatric nurse practitioner and Evelina VIPs team manager, Grainne Walsh, said: “The British Transplant Games are the highlight of the year for our transplant patients, as well as their families and Evelina London staff.

“It’s an opportunity to come together to celebrate life and raise awareness of organ donation, while also encouraging fitness in our young patients.”

The two adult teams representing the Trust also returned home decorated in accolades. Guy’s Transplant team, made up of kidney transplant recipients, donors, and dialysis patients, took home 38 medals and had their first ever swim team compete.

Pictured top: Two young competitors in Nottingham loving the occasion (Picture: Guy’s and St Thomas’)