Two Cumbrian athletes will represent Team GB at this year’s World Transplant Games.
Becky Seaton, of Carlisle, and Daymon Johnstone, of Workington, have both qualified to represent Great Britain at the games in Australia this April.
The games take place every two years and aim to promote the physical success of transplant surgery and increase the number of organ donors.
Becky is set to take part in the 100m, 200m, long jump and 4x100m relay as well as being part of the petanque team, which Daymon is set to be the captain of.
Both athletes have a track record of success in British, European and world games.
At the age of five, Daymon underwent a life-saving kidney transplant in March 1996.
When he was born, Daymon said he appeared blue in the face, which led to doctors fearing he had a problem with his heart. After his lungs suddenly collapsed, his chest had to be drained and he was rushed to Newcastle infirmary.
Daymon’s parents were told he would not make the journey and that they should take things minute by minute. He made the journey, but two weeks of tests later, doctors found his kidneys were failing.
He was eventually only allowed home at one month old after various tests, scans and procedures. By age two, Daymon’s first kidney was taken out and he had an operation to reconstruct his bladder to make him suitable for transplantation.
He was then put on dialysis and had to have growth hormone injections every day and be fed by a tube as he could not eat.
After two failed calls raising his family’s hopes of a transplant, Daymon received his new kidney aged five on March 11 1996 – which he calls his gift of life.
Since then, Daymon has competed in a whopping 23 British Transplant Games and two World Transplant Games, including one in Thailand.
He said: “My life would not be possible without the kind act of my donor, without them I would not have got my childhood back and I may not have been here at all.
“The transplant games has played a massive part in my life, and it is the highlight of my year really. They truly show the positive impacts of organ donation, through sport and friendship.
“For me, the games are quite close to my heart, as it is a way of thanking my donor who has given me a second chance to live.”
Daymon is aiming to raise a total of £5,000 to get to Australia and is so far at the £3,000 mark, while Becky is aiming to raise £4,000 and is currently at £1,991.
Daymon added: “I’d like to thank everyone who has donated so far, especially Kendal Organ Donor Town, Kidney Care UK, and Cumbria Squash – and for anyone thinking about donating, everything helps, even 50p.”
Becky, of Cumwhinton, near Carlisle, received a lifesaving kidney and pancreas transplant in 2016 and since then has gone from strength to strength. She qualified for the GB transplant games, the European transplant games and now the World Transplant Games.
She said: “I want to show the world what you can do when you’re powered by the gift of life, that organ donation really does work and to raise awareness for how important it is to share your organ donation wishes with your loved ones, so that more lives, like mine, can be saved.
“Since my life-saving kidney and pancreas transplant in 2016, I have participated in sport to help look after the precious gifts I have been given and to honour my organ donor, Dylan, and his family and to make them and my own family proud.
“Also, because it gives the opportunity for me to promote the huge benefits of organ donation, raise awareness and show the amazing life-saving impact of organ transplantation.”
The double transplants have transformed Becky’s life, she said. She was facing dialysis and the limitations on her life associated with kidney disease and diabetes.
Since 2016 her energy levels have soared, she said, and she was now able to participate fully in family life, go back to work and now represent the UK in sport. Becky has won medals at every competition and she has given all of them to her donor’s mother and his family.
Becky is still supported by the renal team at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.
You can donate to Becky’s fundraiser at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/becky-seaton
You can donate to Daymon’s fundraiser at www.gofundme.com/f/daymons-australian-adventure
The Word Transplant Games is set to take place on April 15.
