Latest news with #BritishTransplantGames
Glasgow Times
19-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow man who had heart transplant to trek Sahara Desert
Fraser Wilson, 48, from Glasgow, was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy at the age of 14 – a condition that eventually led to heart failure. The illness is genetic, having already sadly claimed the lives of his mother. In 2018, Fraser had an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) fitted by the Scottish National Advanced Heart Failure Service (SNAHFS) team at the Golden Jubilee University National Hospital. As his condition worsened, he eventually received a heart transplant at NHS Golden Jubilee — a procedure that has given him a new lease of life. Read more: You could get TRNSMT tickets by taking part in this Glasgow fashion trail (Image: NHS Golden Jubilee) Read more: Company moves into Glasgow office with plans to recruit staff Now, the bank worker is set to trek 100km across southern Morocco over four and a half days, alongside 90 of his colleagues. Fraser said: "I wanted to prove to myself that after having a heart transplant, three years later, I can do anything. "I feel better than ever and grateful for having the opportunity of a heart transplant and the benefit to me has been life-changing, waking up every day with this amazing perspective in life because you're just grateful for still being here. 'You honestly want to start grabbing opportunities as they arise." He has been training rigorously for the trek, including personal sessions at the gym and completing the 14-mile Kiltwalk at the end of April. Fraser is also a member of the Glasgow Adult Transplant Sports Team and regularly competes in the British Transplant Games. He said: "The Glasgow Adult Transplant Sports Team is a relatively small team. "Everyone is part of the committee and we're joining with around 3,000 competitors at the British Transplant Games in Oxford later this year. "Being part of the team and the games provides a level of comfort and knowledge that you don't have, like non-transplanted people, so it feels like quite an exclusive group that you're a part of, as well as having that ongoing contact with people with the same experience as you. 'And it's not all about your transplant, we enjoy ourselves and have a lot of fun.' Fraser has set a personal fundraising target of £4,000 for his Sahara trek and is also exploring other ways to raise additional funds for the charity Crisis. Jane Lockhart, transplant co-ordinator at NHS Golden Jubilee, said: "Being able to look after our patients, like Fraser, and see how their lives improve after a transplant is an absolute privilege for our team. "Fraser's journey highlights the importance of organ donation and shows just how lives can not only be saved but transformed as well. "We'd like to wish Fraser and his colleagues all the best in this amazing adventure.'
STV News
16-05-2025
- Health
- STV News
Scot tackles 100km desert trek two years after heart transplant
A man is set to attempt a 100km trek through the Sahara Desert, two years after receiving a life-saving heart transplant. Fraser Wilson, 48, underwent the transplant in 2023 when his health deteriorated as a result of a genetic heart condition called cardiomyopathy. The illness had previously claimed the lives of four members of his family, including his mother. The Glaswegian was just 14 when he was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, which then progressed to heart failure, resulting in him being fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in 2018. However his health continued to go downhill, resulting in him spending more than five months in NHS Golden Jubilee in Clydebank before becoming one of a record 40 Scots to receive a heart transplant in 2023. Mr Wilson's cousin Louise Campbell, from Wishaw, also has genetic cardiomyopathy and they were both 45 when they had heart transplants at the hospital. Two years on, bank worker Mr Wilson said he is undertaking the four-and-a-half day, 100km trek in southern Morocco to prove to himself that he can 'do anything'. He said: 'I feel better than ever and grateful for having the opportunity of a heart transplant. 'The benefit to me has been life-changing, waking up every day with this amazing perspective in life because you're just grateful for still being here. 'You honestly want to start grabbing opportunities as they arise. 'The trek is really well organised, (the) regime during the trek is largely self-driven, with some guidance from the event organisers, and I am doing some rigorous training in preparation for the trek, but I'm loving it because it gives me a real reason to get fit. 'I've started doing personal training at the gym and I'm getting a lot more walking in. I did the 14-mile Kiltwalk at the end of April, which was brilliant.' PA Media Fraser Wilson completed the 14-mile Kiltwalk in April (Fraser Wilson/PA). November's trek is organised by Mr Wilson's employer Lloyds Bank, and he will be taking part alongside 90 of his colleagues. He has set himself a target of raising £4,000 for homelessness charity Crisis. The 48-year-old is also a member of the Glasgow Adult Transplant Sport Team, and is set to participate in the British Transplant Games in Oxford later this year. 'Being part of the team and the games provides a level of comfort and knowledge that you don't have, like non-transplanted people, so it feels like quite an exclusive group that you're a part of, as well as having that ongoing contact with people with the same experience as you,' he explained. 'It's not all about your transplant, we enjoy ourselves and have a lot of fun.' Mr Wilson acknowledged the support and aftercare he has received from the Scottish National Advanced Heart Failure Service based at NHS Golden Jubilee, which provides lifelong aftercare for transplant patients. He has also attended events such as the heart transplant Christmas lunch, which provides all Scottish patients with the opportunity to connect with other transplant recipients. NHS Golden Jubilee transplant co-ordinator Jane Lockhart said: 'Being able to look after our patients, like Fraser, and see how their lives improve after a transplant is an absolute privilege for our team. 'Fraser's journey highlights the importance of organ donation and shows just how lives can not only be saved but transformed as well, and we'd like to wish Fraser and his colleagues all the best in this amazing adventure.' For more information about the trek, and to make a donation visit Just Giving. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Courier
09-05-2025
- Health
- The Courier
'A stem cell transplant saved my life - now I'm a gold medal winning athlete'
William Black had just returned home from a snowboarding holiday when he had a second bout of glandular fever. But he had a feeling something was wrong because this time his symptoms were a lot worse. At the time the 38-year-old, who lives in Auchterarder, was just 22. And he was completely unaware that he had a rare and potentially life-threatening condition. 'I felt really unwell, very lethargic,' he says. 'I had sickness as well which I hadn't had with glandular fever before. 'So I went to see my GP who referred me to hospital straight away.' The IT architect, who then lived in Dunfermline, was admitted to Queen Margaret Hospital and initially medics weren't sure what was wrong. But when William's condition rapidly deteriorated after developing pneumonia, he was moved into intensive care. After tests were carried out, William was diagnosed with Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) – a life-threatening disorder caused by an overactive immune system. And he ended up needing a life-saving stem cell transplant from a matching donor. Ever since the Auchterarder cyclist has been raising awareness for Anthony Nolan, having taken part in several British Transplant Games events. And this August he is gearing up once again – this time for his third World Transplant Games in Germany to give back to Anthony Nolan – the charity which saved his life. William had glandular fever for the second time and was admitted to hospital in February 2009. He recalls tests being done which includes a bone marrow aspiration. This is a medical procedure where a small amount of liquid bone marrow is taken. It's often done to assess the bone marrow's health and to diagnose blood disorders and cancers. 'I remember it was very painful,' he says. 'But from the bone marrow they were able to see the disease quite clearly. 'That's when I was diagnosed with this rare immune disorder called HLH. 'Yet because they hadn't seen a case of it before, they didn't have any documentation on it. 'So they gave me information they had found through research.' He continues: 'While I was shocked with the diagnosis, I also trusted my consultant. 'I felt I was in the best possible hands. 'I also knew without treatment the disease would kill me.' Initially William was given two rounds of chemotherapy with the aim of 'dampening down' the reaction of his immune system. 'My immune system had become over-stimulated and the disease started destroying healthy cells,' he explains. 'It can then start to attack your organs resulting in multiple organ failure.' Due to HLH being so rare, medics had to contact specialists at Great Ormond Street Hospital to get advice on treatment. 'I was told I would need a stem cell transplant. 'So they would be taking blood to try and find me a match. 'I was very nervous but I knew I didn't have any other choice.' In June 2009 William was given some good news. During an appointment with his consultant she told him a donor had been found through the stem cell donation charity, Anthony Nolan. 'In actual fact I had two matches – one was 20 years old and the other was 40. 'They went with the younger one as their immune system was younger. 'At that stage I was still finding it hard to believe I needed to go through a transplant. 'But I was really happy a match had been found.' In September 2009 William had the stem cell transplant at the Beatson Cancer Centre in Glasgow and was in hospital for five weeks afterwards. A stem cell transplant involves replacing damaged or diseased blood-forming stem cells with healthy ones. 'The transplant was a success but afterwards I just felt completely wiped out. 'It can take up to a year for the body to recover.' Over the next few months William started to build up his strength. Then after changing jobs, he bought a second hand bike and started cycling. It wasn't long before he was cycling five days a week. A few years later, in 2015, William came across an Anthony Nolan advert about the British Transplant Games in Newcastle. The British Transplant Games is an annual, four-day sporting event organised by Transplant Sport. It's a way of encouraging transplant recipients to regain their fitness after their transplant and to raise awareness of organ donation. William says: 'This was the first year Anthony Nolan was putting a team in. 'I entered the 18-29 age category in the cycling road race and ended up coming second, winning a silver medal.' Ever since he has gone on to take part in a few games events and has an impressive haul of medals to show for it. In August 2019 Auchterarder's William was selected to compete for the first time in the World Transplant Games which took place at Gateshead, Newcastle. The World Transplant Games takes place every two years and is organised by the World Transplant Games Federation. The event sees transplant recipients compete in various sports, demonstrating their health and fitness post-transplant and inspire others to consider organ donation. 'The competition was quite fierce. 'So I didn't win any medals in that one but it was an amazing experience.' The Auchterarder cyclist then went on to compete in his second World Transplant Games in April 2023 in Perth, Australia. And it was during this event he won his first gold medal. 'I didn't do very well in the cycling time trial in the road race. 'However, we did a team triathlon relay and I did the cycling leg of it. And our team ended up winning the gold medal.' This August (17-24th) William has been selected for his third World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany. And he is looking forward to competing once again. 'I have been training hard for it,' he says. 'At the end of 2023 I hired a new coach because I was stagnating a little with my performance. 'Since then I have seen massive results so I am hoping to do well this year.' William is grateful for the support of his family through his health struggles particularly his mum. 'My mum was there through it all and when I was in hospital after the stem cell transplant – she visited every day. 'Having her support meant a lot.' The IT architect also has the backing of his partner Steph, 43. 'I met Steph in 2021 and she has joined the Anthony Nolan register and encourages other people to do so as well. 'She has been very supportive in sharing my story too.' William is passionate about raising awareness and encouraging people to sign up to the stem cell register. He has also previously been shortlisted for the Shirley Nolan Award which recognises individuals or groups who have gone above and beyond in their support of Anthony Nolan. He says: 'When I was 22 I had no idea what a stem cell transplant was. 'This is why I feel it is important to share my story. 'Chances are you could join the register and nothing happens.' He adds: 'But you might be that one person that someone needs – it could mean the difference between life or death.'
BBC News
07-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
England win inaugural Transplant European Football Championship
The first ever Transplant European Football Championship has been won by the hosts nations were represented at the tournament which was held over three days at Radley College, Oxfordshire, with the finals taking place on took the title beating Italy 1-0, with the winning goal coming in the last minute of the the teams were made up of organ transplant recipients from England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Spain and Wales. England player Kevin Kyley said: "There was a real buzz around the place all week with spectators and fans from other countries cheering you on."After a week of football our legs were giving up on us but we just kept pushing, and to get that goal in the last minute of the game was unbelievable."The tournament follows last year's first World Transplant Football Cup held in Cervia, Italy, and aims to promote transplant football and raise awareness for organ Transplant Active wants to establish a biennial European event, taking place either side of world cup is also hosting the British Transplant Games from 31 July to 3 August in Oxford. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
BBC News
25-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Transplant European football championship announced
The first ever Transplant European Football Championship is to take place on the grounds of an Oxfordshire boarding charity Transplant Active announced the Transplant European Football Cup kicks off on 2 April at Radley College, with six nations taking tournament follows on from last year's first World Transplant Football Cup held in Cervia, Italy, and aims to promote transplant football and raise awareness for organ gender teams made up of transplant recipients from England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Spain, and Wales will play in the contest. The charity is also aiming to set up a European Transplant Football Association at the tournament to "build a profile of transplant football across Europe and demonstrate the power of the gift of life through the sport".It also wants to establish a biennial event, taking place either side of world cup is also hosting the British Transplant Games from 31 July to 3 August in College is a 760-capacity independent boarding school for boys, which was founded in 800 acres includes playing fields, a golf course, a lake, and farmland. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
