Young Southampton patients triumph at British Transplant Games
The team's secured dozens of medals at the event in Nottingham
A team of young patients at Southampton Children's Hospital have returned triumphant from this summer's British Transplant Games.
The 13-strong group, aged between 5 and 17 years old, took over 27 medals from the event, held in Nottingham between Thursday and Sunday last week (August 1st-4th).
More than 1,000 athletes took part in over 25 sporting events, including track and field, ping-pong, badminton, and volleyball.
All of the 13-strong 'Team Southampton' have received life-saving treatment at the hospital's specialist nephrology unit, which treats young people with acute and chronic kidney disease and currently has 50 kidney transplant recipients in their care.
5-year-old Haziel Poku was among those 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:
"IAt 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”.
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.”