East Yorkshire Man To Take Part In World Transplant Games
Mark Swift underwent a kidney transplant just two years ago and is now heading to Argentina to represent Great Britain in the World Transplant Games.
A North Ferriby man who underwent a life-saving kidney transplant just two years ago - will jet off to Argentina today to take part in the World Transplant Games.
42-year-old Mark Swift will represent Great Britain in athletics when the event gets underway this Sunday.
The games aim to raise awareness of the need to increase organ donation and will feature over 1500 transplant athletes from around 70 countries.
Mark received a transplant back in 2013 after developing kidney disease and says his life's improved dramatically since the operation. He told us:
"The few years before the transplant, if I'd have gone on dialysis it would have been really restricting and you're tired all the time and it is also very mentally draining. So having the transplant has been an immense change, you can do normal things, go to work and go about your every day business normally as well as being able to take part in sports."
He's now encouraging more people to think about becoming organ donors and thinks there needs to be more information out there for people who're thinking about becoming donors:
"I don't see the opportunities to register. The only time I have seen it available is when I've filled out a driving licence form where it asks if you want to become a donor so maybe that is something that should be looked at and out there more. It's about giving people the opportunity to at least think about it, there are people out there who would do it but just haven't been given that opportunity.
"I would encourage anyone to sign up to the Organ Donation register. After I had my transplant, every person I spoke to and told them what I had been through, they all know somebody who is in that situation and has either had a transplant or they are going to have a transplant, so it can make a massive difference to their lives and not just theirs but you can change three or four people's lives."
He says it's also the chance for transplant patients to get involved in sports again - something he never dreamed he'd be able to do again before his operation:
"To do athletics at 42 is quite a challenge but I did it when I was younger so I thought I'd give it a go. We are not jumping massive distances or running particaurly fast but we are all at the same level and it is a chance for us all to compete again and fingers crossed I'll get a medal."