Thousands of transplant patients, live donors, supporters, and guests will come together in Leeds this month for the Westfield Health British Transplant Games, the flagship event of charity Transplant Sport and the biggest celebration of organ donation that the UK has seen since 2019.  

Right now, there are more than 6,000 people waiting for an organ transplant across the UK.  On average three people die every day in need of an organ transplant because there just  aren’t enough organ donors. The Games aim to raise awareness of the life-saving benefits of transplantation and encourage families across the UK to share their organ donation wishes. 

22 organisations from across the UK have come forward to show their support for the Games, generating over £400,000 and providing vital resources to ensure that the  transplant community can reunite once again safely, after years of UK lockdowns and  shielding.  

The list of organisations includes proud long-term partners Westfield Health, Kidney Care UK Anthony Nolan, the Donor Family Network, Icon Creative Design, Liquid Public Relations, organisers MLS and NHS Blood and Transplant.  

Ahead of this year’s Games taking place in Leeds, a raft of local partners have also come forward to support; Leeds City Council and the University of Leeds are providing accessible  facilities to host the Games’ sporting events and Leeds Hospitals Charity is championing the  annual Donor Run, the Games’ only event that is open to all and takes place to celebrate the  gift of life and say thank you to organ donors.  

Park Lane Foundation will be hosting the golf events at Leeds Golf Centre. Additional supporters for this year also include the Hilton and Global Kidney Foundation. 

Roger Burnley, Chair of the British Transplant Games’ Stakeholder Board, said: 

“There is a lot  of hard work that goes into making the Games happen and we are so grateful to our  sponsors, both new and longer-term, for their support.  

“Not only is the Games a chance for the transplant community to reunite and celebrate  together, but it’s also a key opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges that we are  facing around organ donation in this country and encourage those crucial conversations  between families that means more people are benefitting from life-saving transplants. 

“We can’t wait to see all of our partners and supporters together in one place so we can say  thank you in the best way we know how, by sharing in the magic of the Games.” 

The Games will be held in Leeds from Thursday 28 July to Monday 1 Aug 2022. For more information visit: http://www.britishtransplantgames.co.uk