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GB Athlete's Second Chance at European Games
9 Jun
Summary
- A kidney transplant recipient will represent Great Britain at the European Transplant Games.
- Lesley Miller overcame severe illness and dialysis before her life-saving transplant.
- The games aim to raise awareness for the vital importance of organ donation.
Lesley Miller, who received a life-saving kidney transplant in December 2024, is now representing Great Britain at the European Transplant Games. The Maidenhead resident will compete in badminton at the event held in the Netherlands. These games, which feature 15 sports, are dedicated to raising awareness about the significance of organ donation.
Miller described feeling "absolutely dreadful" before her transplant and being on dialysis, which she found incredibly difficult. She even considered withdrawing from treatment due to her poor health. Her husband was not a match for her, but they participated in a paired donation scheme. Miller received a kidney from a stranger in Leeds, while her husband donated to another recipient the same day.
Following her recovery, Miller rediscovered her love for badminton, a sport she enjoyed as a teenager. After a silver medal win at the British Transplant Games last year, she was thrilled to be selected for the GB team for the European Games in Arnhem on June 21st. Twenty-four countries are expected to participate.
