Competitors fly the SW flag in World Transplant Games

Two competitors from the South West are representing Team Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Argentina at the 20th World Transplant Games. Both Bradley Ball, from Plymouth, and Tracy Carroll, from Helston, have received life-saving kidney transplants from Derriford Hospital.

Bradley, 22, has entered the golf events and Tracey, 40, the swimming events. The pair recently won five medals at the British Transplant Games 2015, in Newcastle. On August 23 they joined 123 team members in Mar del Plata and are now competing in the week-long event against rival teams from around the world including the USA, Thailand, South Africa,

Australia and Germany.Team Great Britain and Northern Ireland is entirely self-funded.

The World Transplant games are held every two years. At the 2013 games, in Durban, South Africa, Team Great Britain and Northern Ireland topped the medals table with a huge haul of 123 gold, 77 silver and 58 bronze medals – a total of 258. The USA came second with a total of 109.

Tracy received her kidney transplant in 2011 and receives her follow-up monitoring from the renal team at the Royal Cornwall Hospital. She said: “Being part of the GB Team going to Argentina is such an amazing honour, I hope our achievements show people what a wonderful gift donation can be. If I come home with one medal, whatever colour, I shall be extremely happy. I think I will have made my friends and family proud.

“I was diagnosed as a crash lander in August 2010 with 6% kidney function, the cause of my kidney failure has never been found. I was very fortunate, receiving a kidney from my mum, Angela Carroll, within six months, so I only spent a very short time on dialysis.

“I was a keen swimmer as a child but hadn't continued this into adulthood, although I was fairly active, cycling, running and attending Zumba classes up until the week of my diagnosis.

“After the transplant it was hard initially to exercise as my body became accustomed to my medication and later I had lost my motivation - this is why I initially entered the British Transplant Games in 2014, in addition to raising crucial awareness of organ donation. Being competitive I had to train! This paid off as I won a gold, three silvers and a bronze in swimming events at my debut games, exactly the same as 2015.

“My care by both Treliske and Derriford has been exemplary. I would not be competing next week if it wasn't for their care and of course my wonderful mum.”
Bradley received his kidney transplant on the 13th of October 2012. Prior to the transplant he used to play football and now competes in golf events. He said: “I hope to just help raise awareness for organ donation.”