John-Paul Rooney (12) was just three and a half years old when his dad, Frank, donated a kidney to him. Now, John-Paul competes annually for Glasgow at the British Transplant Games.
When John-Paul was in the womb, his mum’s medical team picked up that he had kidney failure at her 20-week scan. Once John-Paul was born, he became a patient at the Renal Ward at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow. He was prescribed medication immediately for his first year and then moved onto dialysis for a further two years. John-Paul received dialysis for 12 hours per day.
Then came his kidney transplant. Frank was a tissue match for John-Paul and donated his kidney to his three-and-a-half-year-old son. Fast forward to today and the pair now take life in their stride and, since 2015, have attended the British Transplant Games together.
The games are a friendly sporting event that demonstrate the benefits of transplantation, encourage transplant patients to regain fitness, and increase public awareness. For John-Paul and Frank, they are an opportunity to be with other families that have gone through the same as them and to spend fun times together.
“The games make transplants and the process feel normal as everyone attending is in the same boat. You’re able to share experiences with families from all over the UK. From John-Paul’s point of view, everybody is the same as him. At school he is different and stands out. At the games he doesn’t,” said Frank.
Frank also expressed his gratitude to Diane King, Clinical Nurse Specialist, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Diane is a key fundraiser for the event and originally set up the Glasgow team – the only team in Scotland – to attend the games.
“I want to say a huge thank you to Diane and the team for everything during the trip. They worked hard to take care of everything, from travel and accommodation to food,” said Frank.
Diane explained that creating an opportunity for kids, who have been transplanted at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, to attend the games has always been so important.
“This year, we had 10 wonderful kids take part in a wide selection of sporting events achieving 17 medals in total, and the comradery in our team was very heartwarming. We are also very fortunate to have a fantastic bunch of volunteers who ensure the children, and their families have a great experience. The team would not be able to attend without funding support and kit from Kidney Kids Scotland and the Renal Unit Fund, and more especially, our wonderful patient group that represent Glasgow so proudly,” said Diane.
Lauren Peebles, Play Assistant at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow explained the importance of initiatives like the games for patient care.
“For some children, the health challenges do not end with a transplant. At the games, the families can talk about what they have gone through and what they still face. It gives them a good insight into different journeys and can give them comfort into what lies ahead for them in future,” said Lauren.
The Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow Renal Ward also receives support for transplant families via Kidney Kids Scotland, also huge supporters of the games.
“I know how proud we are of each child so we can only imagine how proud the parents must feel. It would not be possible without the volunteers who give up their time to take the team to the games, including nursing staff and parents. Kidney Kids Scotland would like to thank them. A huge congratulations to you all and we look forward to 2024,” said Karen McFarlane, Manager, Kidney Kids Scotland.
