1. Countdown:World Transplant Games 2025

🌍❤️The World Transplant Games – A Celebration of Second Chances ❤️🌍

The World Transplant Games began in 1978 with just 99 competitors. Today, they’ve grown into a global celebration of life — I am delighted to be one of 29 athletes and over 30 supporters representing Transplant Sports Ireland (TSI) at this year’s Games in Dresden Germany. Just for your information, the Irish athletes trips are all self funded.

🏆This year’s Games will welcome 2,200 people, 1,513 athletes and 115 incredible donors and donor family members (83 living donors and 32 donor families). Approx. 50 nations are taking part — all united by that gift of life.

🏌️‍♀️Every athlete attending has been impacted by organ donation. stem cell transplant etc. Eligibility ranges from ages 4 to 80+ and we come together to compete, connect, and celebrate that gift. Now, let me be honest- would I love to medal.? Absolutely Yes- everyone who knows me would recognise the lie if I said otherwise. But I am beyond thrilled to be well enough, to just be a part of them. Last year, two days after my transplant, I contacted the Irish Kidney association. The plan even then was to attend the 2025 World Transplant Games. There were more than a few challenges along the way but heading to the games was No. 1 and so booked my place less than 5 months later ( which was fairly optimistic given how things were going)- but I love nothing better than a good plan.

With the recent changes to Organ Donation in Ireland, I am attaching a link to the IKA and to their Digital Donor Card. Their website at the bottom of this page will provide you with accurate information and answer questions about Organ Donation.

🏊‍♀️ There are 17 sports taking place in Dresden – from athletics and swimming to cycling, golf and more – Don’t think the games are just about turning up however. The golf time sheet is filled to the brim. The current 100m record stands at 11.18 seconds, and the long jump record is 6.85 metres. 😳 Hugh, one of the Irish team has previously won the gold medal in the Gross competition at the games, playing off scratch at the time.

🏟️Transplant Sport Ireland (TSI) held its Annual Kit Day for both the British Transplant and World Transplant Games in Kilcullen Community Centre on Sunday July 27th. 100 athletes and supporters were in attendance. It was a very special day. The guest speaker was Champion jockey Rachael Blackmore- who spoke about her career and success in National Hunt Racing. Acknowledging the huge challenges that the athletes in the room have faced, she noted that the mental challenge of competition is always tough. Her advice to athletes was to remain in the moment and stay relaxed and calm. There was a big thank you from the floor for all the winners Rachael had achieved over the years -a few members of TSI definitely in the money.

🙏 A heartfelt thank you to the organisers and volunteers from TSI. Also thanks to James Nolan and family along with the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund (PKRF) for their generous sponsorship of Team Kit. Most of all, thanks to the donors and their families. Your generosity made all of this possible. Every finish line crossed- that’s because of you.

Hope you continue to follow my journey over the week of the games. Thanks for reading.

💕Pam
(There is an option to share this footprint if you would like to.)

https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/PamCassidyMcCrea

https://ika.ie/donorcard/
Organ Donor Card - Irish Kidney Association

#WorldTransplantGames #Dresden2025 #TransplantSportsIrelandOkumaya devam et