EAST London resident and chairwomanperson of the Transplant Games in the Eastern Cape Robin Emslie, 45 will take part be joining in in the 13th annual the National Transplant Games (NTG) 13th annual event from July 12 to 15 in Port Elizabeth.
The national games, to be hosted by the Eastern Cape, are set to demonstrate the improved quality of life following a transplant and to promote awareness of organ donation, according to secretary of the local organising committee secretary Heilie Uys. said.
“This is also an opportunity for transplanted athletes who have received transplants, to show their gratitude towards living donors and the families of deceased donors. This is a celebration of new life, where athletes who have received organ and bone marrow transplants will compete in 13 different sports events,” said Uys.
On July 13 all the non-athletic events will take place, while all the track and field events will take place on July 14.
The sports event has received the blessing and support of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, the Eastern Cape Sports Confederation and the Pprovincial Ddepartment of Ssport, Rrecreation, Aarts and Cculture (DSRAC).
Emslie, 45, will be flying high the flag of East London and will be participating in lawn bowling, pétanque, darts and tenpin bowling.
“The national games that will take place in PE are trials for the world games that will take place next year overseas. I have taken part in five international transplant games and six nationals so far,” said Emslie.
Emslie said she found out about the National Transplant Gam s from Uys.
“I got my kidney transplant 10 years ago. I was then approached afterwards by the Renal Care Unit in East London to work for them educating people who are suffering from kidney disease. That is where I met Uys, who and where she introduced me to the games.”
Emslie was diagnosed with streptococcus at 13 years old, which where it damaged one of her kidneys. In , in 2007, she had a experienced renal failure and had to start with dialysis.
Emslie said ndicates that each province did fundraising for travelling expenses, assisting those who had financial struggles. They are hoping that they will get some assistance from the National Lotteries Commission.
“We focus on a healthy lifestyle, and making people aware of the importance of organ donation. We are focusing on influencing the youth to think donating – just to save lives. One body can save seven people,” she said.
During the games, they have a walk in the evening to honour the people who that donated their organs to save the lives of others.
Nelson Mandela University’s Faculty of Health Sciences and DSRAC are partnering with Transplant Sports by making available sports facilities and the knowledge and expertise of staff and students.
