Cape St Francis athlete brings home Gold!
Heilie Uys from Cape St. Francis participated in her 7th World Transplant Games last month in Malaga, Spain and returned home with gold medals in golf, discus, shot put and javelin as well as a silver medal in ball throw.
According to Heilie this year’s Games were very competitive due to many more athletes competing in the same age group. “It is a privilege to still be able to compete and to be blessed with good health after transplantation. I thank my donor who made all this possible”.
Fifty one athletes amassed a total of 76 medals of which 35 were gold, 23 silver and 18 bronze placing South Africa third on the medal table behind the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland and the USA.
Amongst these SA athletes were five Eastern Cape transplantees who participated with great success. They have all received lifesaving kidney transplants. Robyn Emslie from East London and Susan Burri, Dean Arnolds and Mpumi Damane all from Port Elizabeth.
South African Team Manager to the World Transplant Games (WTG) Hermann Steyn wrote:
“It is with a great sense of pride and deep appreciation that we want to acknowledge the sterling performances of all our South African athletes at the XXI World Transplant Games (WTG) held in Malaga, Spain from 25 June to 2 July 2017. Our athletes have yet again proved their mettle against the best in the Transplant sporting fraternity
The World Transplant Games is a great opportunity for our transplant athletes to compete at an international level, to share their stories and inspire people to sign up as organ donors. The South African National Games and the World Transplant Games would not be possible without the generosity of the organ donors who ensure that these athletes can demonstrate the benefits of lifesaving transplantation.
Appropriately an article in IOL today highlights reluctance of people to donate organ’s whilst being happy to receive. READ MORE
Mpumi Damane, Dean Arnolds, Susan Burri, Heilie Uys, Robyn Emslie
Article from Heile Uys – edited
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