Body & Soul

Dreams do Come True if you Believe. Transplants Change Lives.

If someone had told me 10 years ago I would be competing in the World Transplant Games in Bangkok, Thailand and winning a gold medal I would have told them they were crazy. Last year, I accomplished that goal, but ten years ago it was a different story, I was dying from Cystic Fibrosis (CF) a genetic lung disease that is the number one killer of children and young adults in Canada. My life lines were an oxygen tank and IV antibiotics, physiotherapy a daily three hour regime, walking a few steps exhausting, working at my dream job as a teacher no longer an option and Vancouver’s St.Paul’s Hospital pretty much my home. Everyday was a struggle to survive. Imagining I would ever run again was a far off dream, but dreams do come true if you “Believe.”

Like all people with CF, I was born with it, but I wasn’t diagnosed until I was 14. At that time the life expectancy was 15. The doctor told me to go home and enjoy the last year of my life. I remember telling him he was wrong, I was going to live until I was old and grey-haired. I knew if I believed in myself I would be ok. I wonder how that doctor would feel knowing I will celebrate my 50 th birthday next year. Achieving that milestone has come with many struggles the hardest being a double lung transplant in Dec. 1999 at the age of 40.

My life was saved by a complete stranger. November 30, 1999 a family who tragically lost a loved one were able to look beyond their grief and donate their loved one’s organs. They saved not only my life, but also four other people that day. To the donor family I will be forever grateful. On Dec.1 st, 1999 I received the greatest gift of all, a life saving lung transplant the Gift of Life. My life was changed forever.

While recovering from the surgery a physiotherapist gave me her Vancouver Sun Run bib and told me to go for it. On that day I decided the best way to honour my donor and donor family was to run. I had also heard about the World Transplant Games, which are the Olympics of the transplant world except all the athletes are transplant recipients. My mind was set, I was going to the World Games no matter what it took.

My recovery was slow because of complications related to the surgery, but I was determined to walk, run or participate in athletics no matter what. My first big endeavour was the Vancouver 10km Sun Run in April 2001. It was tough, but exhilarating all the same. I remember crying tears of joy as I crossed the finish line and raised my hands in the air in honour of my donor. (Something I continue to do) That same year I began paddling with the “Gift of Life” dragon boat team comprised of organ donor recipients. We are still paddling and dedicate every race to our donors. I have been running, race walking or active in some type of sport since that first Sun Run.

As I became healthier, I knew I needed to do more to get the message out that organ donation works. I volunteer as an inspirational speaker with BC Transplant. That still wasn’t enough. Why not do something on the World level? In order to attend the World Transplant Games I became a member of the Canadian Transplant Association. The CTA is an organization that motivates transplant recipients to maintain a healthy lifestyle by supporting athletic, educational and other activities while promoting organ and tissue donor awareness.

My first World Transplant Games were in Nancy, France July of 2003.What an amazing experience. Fifteen hundred transplant athletes from 60 different countries all ready to compete in Olympic style events. What a feeling to be with so many people who understand what you have been through, they just, “Get it.” I came home with three medals one of each colour all in running races. I was hooked. I have since competed in two other World Games in London, Ontario and Bangkok, Thailand and one National Games in Edmonton, Alta. I will be attending my 2 nd Nationals this Aug. in Windsor On. I have won many medals, but it isn’t about the medals it is about celebrating life, giving back and honoring my donor and donor family.

Every day I encourage people to register to be an organ donor. Many people have been saved because of organ donation, but without donors our fight would have been lost. Being an organ donor and giving the “Gift of Life,” is the greatest gift you can give. There is a saying in the transplant world, “Why take you your organs to heaven, Heaven knows we need them here. Register to be an organ donor with BC Transplant at www.bctransplant.bc.ca

Gaining my life back and being able to participate in sports is extraordinary. It is a dream come true to compete with recipients from across Canada and around the world in order to honour my donor and donor family. I’m also proud to represent the CF community. To imagine what my life was like ten years ago to what it is today is unbelievable….Dreams do come true if you…..Believe.

For more information about the Canadian Transplant Association go to the website www.organ-donation-works.org. or contact Margaret Benson at winniethepooh@telus.net