Olympic inspiration as young patients triumph at this year's Transplant Games

A team of 13 young transplant patients treated at Southampton Children’s Hospital (SCH) have returned from this year's British Transplant Games triumphant, after securing over 27 medals.

Now in its 46th year, the Transplant Games, organised by charity Transplant Sport and Westfield Health, saw more than 1,000 athletes compete in over 25 sporting events including track and field, ping-pong, badminton, and volleyball.

Although a weekend of competitive sport, the games also focus on having fun and driving awareness for organ donation.

‘Team Southampton’ competitors were aged between five and 17 and have all received life-saving treatment at SCH specialist nephrology unit, which treats young people with acute and chronic kidney disease and currently has 50 kidney transplant recipients in their care.

Haziel Poku, 5, was just one of the young patients who brought home a medal, after winning silver in the long jump competition.

At just four weeks old, Haziel suffered from a medical emergency that required resuscitation. The impact on his small kidney’s resulted in acute kidney failure that, over time, developed into chronic kidney disease and Haziel requiring a kidney transplant.

Luckily dad, Kwasi Poku, was a match and in February 2022 both father and son underwent transplant surgery. After a long road of recovery, Haziel was well enough to attend this year’s games.

Mum, Mary Poku, from Andover, said “It’s been fantastic. To see Haziel so happy and winning medals is such a proud moment for us.

“The games have been an eye opener for us as a family. We saw that even though Haziel has gone through so much, he is capable and can achieve anything he puts his mind to. It’s been a long journey and seeing Haziel so excited at taking part in a sporting event is something we never thought we’d see.

“It was such a positive experience, and we’d like to thank the team at Southampton Children’s Hospital, especially Sarah, for organising this trip. We will be forever thankful for their passion and dedication in caring for Haziel”.

Sarah Grylls, clinical nurse specialist in paediatric nephrology at Southampton Children’s Hospital, said: “It was another fantastic year for Team Southampton at the British Transplant Games, but we couldn’t have got here without the generosity of our sponsors and public donations.

“These games mean the world to the children and their families; it gives them all an opportunity to have fun with other children who understand the challenges of living with organ failure”.

Shuman Haq, consultant paediatric nephrologist at Southampton Children’s Hospital, who donned a bright tutu throughout the event said “It’s been a brilliant year at the games, all the children and their families have had a wonderful time. It’s great to see them all so happy and getting a break from their life of medications and constant hospital visits.”

Ellis Banfield, chief executive at Southampton Hospitals Charity, who also supported the Transplant Games team, said: “The charity is incredibly proud of our young transplant patients from Southampton Children’s Hospital who took part in the games. The team’s dedication, spirit, and resilience is truly inspiring and we’re honoured to have supported such an exceptional group of individuals.”