The launch of the transplant games above. Below, Sue Hills, 54, from Ashford is taking part in this year’s Transplant Games in Medway

by Jenni Horn

With the Westfield Health British Transplant Games taking place in Medway in less than two weeks, a top doctor has urged people to join the organ donor register.

Six hundred patients, who wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for lifesaving transplants, will be competing at the four-day event at Medway Park in Gillingham, from August 23.

Participants, aged from two to 80, will be competing in a number of disciplines, such as running, high jump and a mini-marathon.

The transplant games were established in 1978 by Maurice Slapak, who at the time was a consultant transplant surgeon.

They give transplant patients a focus to regain fitness, meet friends made through treatment, share stories and increase public awareness about the value of organ donation and what a difference a transplant can make.

Dr Robert Stewart, co-medical director for NHS Kent and Medway, said: “The main aim of the games is to raise awareness about the NHS Organ Donor Register.

“There are 239 people in Kent and Medway waiting for an organ transplant. Those people and their families are waiting for a call from the hospital to tell them a donor has been found.

“Sadly, the gap between the number of organs available and the number of people who need a transplant is getting wider.

“If you’ve been thinking about carrying a donor card, just add your name to the register online and tell your loved ones about your wishes. Around 618,000 people in Kent and Medway are donor card carriers.

“One donor can save the lives of several people. Between April 2010 and March 2011, 3,740 organ transplants were carried out in the UK thanks to 2,044 donors.

"Organs are often donated by living donors, who give an organ to a loved one.

"They are also donated by strangers motivated by the desire to help those in need and families who make the incredibly difficult decision to donate a loved one’s organs in the midst of their grief.”

The games are being staged in partnership with Medway council and are supported by the KM Group and a number of other key sponsors and partners.