Almost exactly one year ago we posted a story about Harry, a young friend of ours who, with his family, was waiting for news of a possible transplant. We are delighted to be able to post this update from Harry’s mum, Clare…
It’s 6:30pm on Thursday 31st July 2025. The event is the opening ceremony of the British Transplant Games (BTG). The location is the grounds of Blenheim Palace (just outside Oxford)… More than a thousand athletes aged just 2 upwards. One group of children and young people are sitting in a circle, catching up and waiting for the parade of athletes. There’s a gap just big enough for one more to slide in…
Harry (2nd from rht) with his BCH teammates
This is the award winning Birmingham’s Courageous Heroes’ (BCH) team. Like all the BTG competitors they have received life saving transplants. Each of these children has spent significant time in hospital. Each has to take medication to keep their donated organs working. Each has fought hard to regain the health that most of us take for granted.
We (Clare, Simon, Harry and his younger brother Sam) missed BTG 2024 as we were in hospital that very weekend. In fact, we spent 6 weeks between our local hospital and Birmingham Children’s Hospital last summer after months of illness. Whilst our BCH friends were preparing for last year’s Donor Run (an amazing 2.5/5km event in memory, thanks and recognition of donors including living donors), we were on a Teams call being told that Harry, aged 13, needed a 3rd liver transplant.
I can’t begin to describe how we felt hearing those words. It’s a bit like the whole world suddenly tipping on its axis. It’s impossible to describe. So I’m not going to try.
The call came a few months later. The surgery was long and complicated, and the recovery was slow. We spent Christmas on Ward 8, where our wonderful doctors and nurses spoilt us all. It was pretty magical with a borrowed tree, fairy lights and lots of presents. After 5 weeks we made it home, and (just 2 months later) Harry returned to school.
His resilience and determination over the past 18 months has astounded us all. Throughout those weeks and months, Harry kept BTG right at the front of his mind. It was his goal to return. Having competed at 7 previous Games (including Liverpool 2016 just 5 months after his 2nd transplant), he was desperate to be back. He worked hard at regular Physio appointments with Jemma – who had a real investment in him as she is the BCH Team Manager!
So… that Thursday in August. The BCH team were gathered together. The gap was a perfect Harry sized space. He slid in and it was like he’d never been away.
And it was the same for Simon, Sam and me. The Games Family (capitals on purpose!) is so very special. So many hugs, so many smiles. Catching up on everyone’s news. Seeing how the young people had grown! We also met the new team members. And, of course, we remembered those who are no longer with us.
Harry isn’t a runner, but he’s a speedy swimmer. He’d only been allowed back in the pool 4 weeks before BTG, but he trained hard. His BTG highlight was Saturday morning where he competed in two 50m races and the relay. He felt the whole crowd behind him – and came home with a Silver medal in backstroke. Whilst the BTG message is all about encouraging participation and a healthy lifestyle after transplant, a bit of bling is always well received. Harry’s still smiling several weeks on.
The Donor Run on the Saturday evening was (as always) an event full of joy, hope and positivity. Humbling for those of us who are there as supporters. Even more emotional for us as a family as we paid tribute to Harry’s 3rd donor. Their family’s brave and heroic decision in the midst of loss gave Harry his future.
Returning to BTG, seeing our Games Family, watching the young people thrive…I’m (again) struggling to find the words, but in a good way. So I’ve asked Harry to describe how he feels about this. It’s simple:
BRILLIANT!!
Harry (106), with BCH teammate (also Harry!)