'I wanted to do my organ donor proud by exercising'

Karen Hodgson had a heart transplant in 2006 and completed her 50th Park Run on Saturday

"I wanted to do my donor proud by exercising with my heart transplant", says Karen Hodgson.

The 65 year-old transplantee, from Wirksworth in Derbyshire, completed her 50th parkrun on Saturday and said she wanted to show that you can still be active, even after receiving a life-saving transplant.

Mrs Hodgson said doing the Park Run with 11 other transplantees was also a great way of urging people to "give the gift of life" through organ donation.

Still running 19 years after her transplant, Mrs Hodgson said: "We want to show how well and active we can be after receiving a life-saving transplant and to also show that despite a history of poor health, it is possible to get fit."

Karen ran the Long Eaton parkrun with 11 fellow transplantees

Karen was 26 when she was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle.

She said she didn't need a transplant at first after her diagnosis.

But in 2006, when she was 46, Mrs Hodgson received a new heart after being given just 18 days to live due to her health deteriorating.

Mrs Hodgson said she was still alive due to the "gift of life" and wanted families to discuss whether they wished to have their organs donated.

"I'd like people to have the conversation about organ donation because it will save lives and it means families can enjoy each others company for longer", said Mrs Hodgson.

As of 30 April 2025, NHS Blood and Transplant said around 580 people in the East Midlands were on the waiting list for an organ transplant, including 131 people in Derbyshire.

About 8,000 people in the UK were currently waiting for an organ transplant, NHS Blood and Transplant added.

The law surrounding organ donation in England was changed in May 2020 so people had to opt out rather than opt in to become donors.

All adults in England are now considered to have agreed to be an organ donor when they die, unless they have recorded a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups.

Seven of Mrs Hodgson's running group will compete at the World Transplant Games for Team GB

Seven of Mrs Hodgson's group that participate in the Long Eaton parkrun have been selected to represent Team GB at this year's World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany.

"I will be competing in the 5k road race and the 1500m and 800m track", said Mrs Hodgson.

"We are a mix of heart, lung, kidney, pancreas, bone marrow and liver transplantees all with amazing stories to tell.

"We also have Charlotte running with us who is an altruistic kidney donor and also kidney donors who were able to save their loved ones lives with family donation."

Mrs Hodgson said she was "grateful and humble" to represent her country in the upcoming games.

"I think about my donor and her family whenever I cross a finishing line", she said.

"I didn't know who she was but her gift has meant I can continue my life and I keep my heart strong to be able to continue running for as long as I can."