Awe-inspiring Mayo athlete to compete in British Transplant Games
The Ballina woman will compete at the Games this week
Awe-inspiring Mayo Athlete to Compete in British Transplant Games A Mayo athlete is to compete in the British Transplant Games which get underway this week.
The 48th British Transplant Games are set begin this Thursday and will last until Sunday. The games will be hosted in Sheffield.
The aim of these games is to celebrate transplant recipients, live donors, and donor families. The athletes are showcasing the astonishing life-changing impact of organ donation in the most prominent way imaginable.
Transplant Team Ireland will send a team of 20 athletes, including Ballina woman Karol Donnelly. She will compete in the archery and ten-pin bowling challenges.
Karol is an environmental scientist, with her interest in the games stemming from her hobbies, such as music and water sports. Karol is a proud member of the Gráine Mhaol Dragon Boat Club in Castlebar, as well as a clarinet player in her local orchestra.
Karol’s story goes back to 2006 as she received her first transplant due to a sudden illness. She explains that ‘within days I had a super urgent liver transplant’ that saved her life.
She expresses that ‘life post-transplant was tough, both physically and emotionally, but with time and support I regained my independence and strength.’ After being in the clear for several years, unfortunately a clot was discovered in her artery resulting in another transplant in 2017.
After being told that she most likely wouldn’t walk again, Karol made a full recovery. She regained her strength and ability to participate in the sports and hobbies that she loved the most.
Today, Karol is a founding member and Secretary of the Liver Ireland Support Network (LISN). She is living her life to the fullest as states that ‘I cherish my life. Organ donation gave me a second and third chance at life’ and ‘I'm in awe of my donors' families.’ Karol is looking forward to competing in her first games, as it has inspired her to take on new challenges and to accomplish something so extraordinary. She wishes to show people that when she crosses the finish line, it ‘represents a second chance that was only made possible through the generosity of donors and their families.’ The whole of Ballina and the country will be behind Karol and her achievements. To get involved with the organisation, visit transplantsportireland.ie or follow @TransplantSportIreland on social media platforms.
