Erin McIlvaney: The road to the Transplant Games 2023
Last week, 12-year-old Erin McIlvaney met up with Scottish no.1 Kirsty Gilmour for a coaching session ahead of representing Team GB & NI at the 24th World Transplant Games in Perth Australia, from 15 – 21 April 2023.
At just six months old, Erin needed a new liver and it came at just the right time, from a teenager whose liver went on to save not only little Erin but an adult too.
Erin’s mum, Kirstin tells us: “The transplant games are all about participation and inclusivity, it is really important for recipients to keep active and sport is a great way of making connections with others who have been through the same experience”.
The Transplant Games are open to those who have received, heart, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas, stem cells and bone marrow transplants, and will bring up to 3000 transplant athletes, their families and supporters together for a week celebrating the ultimate gift – the gift of life.
Erin lives in Biggar, South Lanarkshire and recently joined Peebles club, attending sessions over the past few months with the goal of improving her badminton before she represents Great Britain at the Transplant Games in Australia later this year – Erin is also entered to play in the upcoming Clydesdale school tournament.
The Transplant Games has two objectives – to promote organ donation and encourage more people across the world to register and support donation; and to help recipients improve their health and fitness around their transplanted organ.
Erin’s badminton success has gained attention from BBC Alba who filmed at Peebles club last night for a new show 360, watch now on YouTube.
We wish Erin the best of luck in Australia! Enjoy yourself and we’ll be keeping an eye on the results.