Thursday, June 22, 2017

James is off to World Transplant Games in Spain

Local businessman James Nolan will be among the squad of Transplant Team Ireland taking part in the World Transplant Games in Malaga, Spain, this coming weekend, writes Brian Byrne.

The 28 Irish competitors and 19 supporters will join others from over 50 countries in what will be the biggest gathering of transplant recipients this year — almost 1000 competitors registered to take on events as diverse as athletics, badminton, swimming, ten pin bowling and darts to name but a few.

The competitors are aged from 30 to 79 and include five liver transplant recipients and 23 who have undergone kidney transplants.

James is pictured above (second from left, front) with the team (five members are missing from the photograph). He will be competing in the 50-59 years age category in 4x100m Relay (Heats & Finals); 4 x 400m Relay (Heats & Finals); 200m (Heats & Finals); 400m (Heats & Finals); 800m (Heats & Finals); and well as in the Golf Singles and as a member of the Golf Team.

In 1987, after spending the first 20 years of his life dealing with kidney problems, James received a donor kidney from his sister Catherine. He has been ever since a very active advocate of fundraising for kidney patient facilities, and promoting the carrying of organ donor cards.