A special reception was held last week at the Australian Embassy in Dublin to honour Trans-plant Team Ireland, which won 17 medals at the recent World Transplant Games. Among those proudly wearing their medals from the games in Perth were local athletes Hugh Nolan from Doneraile, Pat O’Sullivan from Mallow, and Mairéad O’Mahony from Berrings. Hugh and Pat teamed up in the golf competition at the World Games, and took the gold medals in their category, while Mairéad won a total of five medals, a remark-able achievement. Joining the medallists at the reception were family members and officers of the Irish Kidney Association, which manages and co-ordinates Transplant Team Ire-land’s participation at international Transplant Games events. The occasion also highlighted the importance of organ donation, and it was stated that organ donor cards are available from www.ika.ie, and at pharmacies and other locations.
Colin White, Transplant Team Ireland Manager, thanked the Ambassador for his warm hospitality, and said that the 14 transplant recipients on the team that took part in the games in Perth were proud to be among over 1,500 competitors from 46 countries to showcase the success of organ donation, made possible by their organ donors.