CHILDREN and adults who are alive and well thanks to the gift of a new heart, liver, lung and kidney pulled on their running shoes to celebrate their life-changing transplants.
Around 500 athletes plus family, friends, supporters and members of the South Yorkshire public took part in The Star Donor Run – which covered 5km – and the 3km Mini Marathon Fun Run in and around Don Valley Stadium.
The races were part of the 31st Westfield Health British Transplant Games, which brought together around 900 athletes from right across the UK to compete in a whole range of events ranging from archery, to table tennis, athletics and swimming.
Some of the athletes were aiming to achieve fast times good enough to qualify for the next World Transplant Games in 2009 on the Gold Coast in Australia.
But many were simply there to celebrate the joy of being alive after receiving a new heart, lung, kidney, liver or pancreas from a donor.
What do you think? Add your comment below.Energetic Jackie Herrick, aged 38, from Wybourn, took on the 3km run with her daughters Carly, 13, and Megan, five. The lunchtime supervisor has had three kidney transplants, two of which failed, and has spent years on and off dialysis.
But thanks to her successful transplant she's become a regular at British Transplant Games and found it very special to be taking part in an event with her family and in her home city.
"It's been brilliant. It was a last minute thing – Carly wanted to do it and so we decided to enter as a family.
"I can do all the things I want to do and it's thanks to my donor family – without them it wouldn't have been possible."
Supporters included patients' families and also the medical staff who have cared for them.
Among them was Suzanne Davison, a liver consultant at St James' Hospital Leeds, who was determined to get round the 5km course and was inspired by patients.
"It is wonderful to see the children doing so well. This is my first time in the event and I was spurred on to keep going by the patients every time I thought about stopping," she said.
Among her patients was 15-month-old Farah Bycroft, whose life was saved when she received a section of liver from her grandmother Carol Morris, 58, from Rotherham. The beaming youngster, from Huddersfield, was wheeled round the 3km course by Carol and mum Joanne.
"Farah has loved the experience. She's been smiling and laughing – it's been amazing," said Carol.
Sarah Lewis, 44, from Coventry, was taking part in her 17th British Transplant Games – 18 years after receiving a new kidney.
"I love competing each year. I was on the waiting list for three years for a kidney and people don't realise how exhausting it is, how you feel so tired and how difficult the fluid restrictions are. The difference is amazing."
Now Sarah is fit and well and living life to the full. She regularly walks and runs.
"It has transformed my life," she said.
Karen Hodgson, 45, in the Papworth Hospital team from Cambridgeshire, received a heart transplant two years ago.
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