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his year I have been very lucky to The medals, whilst a great honour, are
participate in my 7th international secondary to the feeling that comes with
transplant/dialysis sports event. My knowing that you were the best that you
Tfirst was in Germany in 2008 when could be on the day – wherever you
I was on dialysis. finished.
After every Championships I return Listening to everybody after the
home full of thanks to my donor, and Championships it seems that all the
their family, for giving me this ‘Gift of competitors are thinking about
Life’. I am also thankful for being a possibilities for 2017 and 2018 and what
member of Transplant Team Ireland, who they intend to do to try to improve their
are a group of people I call my friends performances. I believe that by
and they are also my extended family. participating in sport it helps us to keep
By I always return home excited and want fit and by being fit, it will benefit us,
PETER HEFFERNAN to do better in my sport at the next whether transplanted or waiting for the
competition. These feelings were the call.
same in 2016. However, I thought there As a team of supporters there are none
was something different and special this better than Transplant Team Ireland. We
year and that was the support each, both in competition and
impact of our new generally throughout the week. It was
members, their great to see the new people buy into this
families and friends straight off. We also have a reputation for
and all they supporting participants from other
contributed to the countries in competitions.
week. I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to
There were 14 new Claire, our team doctor. It was her first
faces this year and time to travel with the team yet she fitted
each of them, in their into the role immediately. She was a great
own right, brought a supporter and friend to everyone. Her
new excitement and presence gave a quiet reassurance to all
dynamic to the team. that we had a consummate professional
In my view the looking after us.
Championships give At all the Games that I have attended I
the new participants a always take time out to see the city we
chance to compete in are visiting. I believe that it is a golden
their chosen sport(s), opportunity to see other places in the
but more importantly, world and meet people from different
it lets them know that cultural backgrounds. As I say to many of
they are not isolated my friends, have kidney failure and see
in their situation - the world!
they and their families Transplant Team Ireland is a wonderful
are part of a bigger group of individuals, who have a unique,
Irish and world caring and entertaining Team Captain in
transplant/dialysis Harry Ward. We also have a Team
family. Manager who totally believes in
It was great to see everyone compete Transplant Team Ireland and what it
to the best of their ability in Finland. The stands for and what it does. Colin and
greatest achievement is to put in a Harry are two very nice people and we
performance in which one can take pride. say a BIG ‘thank you’ to them both.

AT ALL THE GAMES THAT I HAVE ATTENDED I ALWAYS TAKE TIME OUT TO SEE THE CITY WE ARE VISITING. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS
A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE OTHER PLACES IN THE WORLD AND MEET PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS.

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