Chef wins three medals at British Transplant Games

Darren Creed won two gold medals in swimming and a bronze in volleyball

A chef and college lecturer who received a live organ donation from his wife has won three medals at his first British Transplant Games.

Darren Creed was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease in 2012, and after his health declined, he underwent a kidney transplant last year.

The 52-year-old took part in this year's games with the Leicester team, winning gold in both the 50m and 100m swimming freestyle, and bronze in volleyball.

The father of two said he was given the "gift of life", and being able to take part and celebrate with his family, was a "privilege".

About 1,000 transplant recipients of all ages took part in various sports at the event, which was held this year in Nottingham for the first time from 1 to 4 August.

The games, which have been running for more than 40 years, are aimed at showing the benefits of transplantation, encouraging patients to regain fitness, and increasing awareness of the need for more people to join the donation register.

'Can't believe it'

Mr Creed, from Leicester, said he was told about the genetic disorder, which reduces kidney function and could lead to kidney failure, on his 40th birthday.

"My health slowly declined, and then I got really poorly two years ago, that's when I was put on the transplant register and thought about potential donors," he said.

"All the tests came back to say my wife was a match. A non-blood relative. It's just crazy.

"You never quite believe it's going to happen, but it did, and I had my transplant on 13 July at Glenfield Hospital. I still can't believe it."

Mr Creed was part of the Leicester transplant volleyball team, which won bronze

Mr Creed, who has been teaching at Loughborough College for 25 years, joined the Leicester Transplant Team earlier in the year after months in recovery.

"I didn't know what I was getting myself into, but the team were amazing and became like family," he said.

"I sign up for the 50m freestyle and the 100m freestyle, which are my two swims that I used to do as a teen when I swam for Leicester and the county.

"At the games, I was so focused on just finishing, I couldn't tell if anyone else was in front, and I looked up, and the board said I'd won.

"I couldn't believe it, and with my family in the stands screaming and shouting. It was unbelievable.

"Without the live organ donation from my wife, I might not be here. It was that serious.

"It really is a gift of life."

Unit 'unrecognisable'

Melody Reeves, recipient transplant coordinator at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said the games were "vital" in raising awareness of organ donation and celebrated people who had received an organ.

"The games bring people together who've had similar experiences, and it creates a strong community spirit and pride in people," she said.

"It's not easy for a family to donate, especially on the deceased register, but it makes such a difference to the people who receive the organ."

Ms Reeve said the Leicester Transplant Unit, which marks 50 years in March next year, was "almost unrecognisable now".

"Fifty years ago, there were about four kidney transplants a year," she said.

"Now we are up to 130. Technology has come a long way, and so has medication and it's changed beyond recognition."

She added that there were more than 7,700 people waiting on the UK transplant register.

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