Latest news with #activeLiving
BBC News
4 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Derbyshire post-transplant runner 'wanted to do my donor proud'
"I wanted to do my donor proud by exercising with my heart transplant", says Karen 65 year-old transplantee, from Wirksworth in Derbyshire, completed her 50th parkrun on Saturday and said she wanted to show that you can still be active, even after receiving a life-saving Hodgson said doing the Park Run with 11 other transplantees was also a great way of urging people to "give the gift of life" through organ running 19 years after her transplant, Mrs Hodgson said: "We want to show how well and active we can be after receiving a life-saving transplant and to also show that despite a history of poor health, it is possible to get fit." Karen was 26 when she was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart said she didn't need a transplant at first after her in 2006, when she was 46, Mrs Hodgson received a new heart after being given just 18 days to live due to her health Hodgson said she was still alive due to the "gift of life" and wanted families to discuss whether they wished to have their organs donated."I'd like people to have the conversation about organ donation because it will save lives and it means families can enjoy each others company for longer", said Mrs of 30 April 2025, NHS Blood and Transplant said around 580 people in the East Midlands were on the waiting list for an organ transplant, including 131 people in 8,000 people in the UK were currently waiting for an organ transplant, NHS Blood and Transplant law surrounding organ donation in England was changed in May 2020 so people had to opt out rather than opt in to become adults in England are now considered to have agreed to be an organ donor when they die, unless they have recorded a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups. Seven of Mrs Hodgson's group that participate in the Long Eaton parkrun have been selected to represent Team GB at this year's World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany."I will be competing in the 5k road race and the 1500m and 800m track", said Mrs Hodgson."We are a mix of heart, lung, kidney, pancreas, bone marrow and liver transplantees all with amazing stories to tell. "We also have Charlotte running with us who is an altruistic kidney donor and also kidney donors who were able to save their loved ones lives with family donation."Mrs Hodgson said she was "grateful and humble" to represent her country in the upcoming games."I think about my donor and her family whenever I cross a finishing line", she said."I didn't know who she was but her gift has meant I can continue my life and I keep my heart strong to be able to continue running for as long as I can."
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Calgary Marathon road closures include parts of Memorial Drive: What you need to know about this weekend's races
With close to 20,000 participants expected in this weekend's Calgary marathon, it's worthwhile checking out the resulting road closures and the best vantage points to watch the race. For the first time, the event is being held over two days — Saturday and Sunday. This will allow organizers of the Servus Calgary Marathon to accommodate a record number of participants — expected to be around 18,000. Participants will run, walk and wheel over the two days, with thousands more participants than the previous record of 14,750 set in 2014. Both the 10 km and 5 km races are on Saturday, with the former starting at 7:30 a.m. and the latter at 9:15 a.m. The races begin at Stampede Park, at 1410 Olympic Way S.E., in front of GMC Stadium. The full 42.2 km marathon and 21.1 km half marathon are on Sunday at 7 a.m., with the same start location. The race is a celebration of Calgary's active living spirit, but it does bring a bit of traffic pain with it this year. In past years, half of Memorial Drive was closed to traffic so that runners could use the roadway and traffic could use the other side of the road. However, this year Memorial Drive is already half closed for flood mitigation construction. That means parts of the roadway near downtown will be completely closed on both Saturday and Sunday mornings, because the open half of the road will be needed for the race. According to the City of Calgary website, Memorial Drive will be closed between the 4th Avenue Flyover ramp and 10th Street N.W. between 6 a.m. and noon on Saturday. On Sunday, Memorial Drive will be closed in this same area, as will the area between 10th Street N.W. and Kensington Road N.W. There are additional road closures near the Stampede grounds, near the zoo, into Bridgeland and along Riverfront Avenue. On Sunday, road restrictions extend farther onto Parkdale Boulevard N.W. and Bowness Road N.W., because the two Sunday races feature longer distances. A detailed list of road closures and restrictions is at Spectators are welcome along the routes and race organizers encourage people to cheer on runners through the events on both days. Tips for spectators can be found at With many runners participating in the race for various charities, the Calgary Marathon has now helped raise about $10 million for people in need. Last year marked the 60th annual Calgary Marathon. For some running inspiration, check out this story.
