FLAG BEARER.
Gravenhurst resident and organ transplant recipient Sandra Holdsworth carried the Canadian flag on behalf of the national team during the Summer World Transplant Games in Goteborg, Sweden June 17-24.
Submitted photo
GRAVENHURST -- Just in time for Sandra Holdsworth’s birthday, the organ transplant recipient enjoyed a proud moment on behalf of her country.
The 47-year-old Gravenhurst resident carried the Canadian flag, ushering 25 of her fellow Canadian athletes to the opening ceremonies of the Summer World Transplant Games in Goteborg, Sweden last month.
“I love being Canadian, so that was a big honour for me,” she said.
For more than two decades the World Transplant Games Federation has been staging international sporting events for transplant athletes to demonstrate the physical success of transplant surgery and to raise awareness of the need to increase organ donation.
Holdsworth continues to prove the benefits of organ donation by participating in the biennial games for the seventh time.
During the June 17-24 games, she competed in three events: 10-pin bowling, table tennis and petanque, an event similar to lawn bowling and bocce ball.
Although she came home empty-handed, the Canadian team came away with 15 medals — three golds, five silvers and seven bronzes.
More than 50 countries and 1,000 athletes were represented.
“I didn’t do too badly in petanque. I lost to the gold medal winner by one point and beat the bronze medallist,” Holdsworth said.
Since 1999, Holdsworth has earned one gold and two bronze medals at the World Transplant Games.
“The competition is really tough,” she said. “But I’ve always said it’s the best medicine to be around all of these people who have received the gift of life.”
She has also participated in all five of the Canadian Transplant Games, collecting many medals.
As a transplant recipient, Holdsworth has been fortunate to travel the world representing her country and her cause.
She is a volunteer spokesperson for the Canadian Transplant Association, advocating for greater awareness of organ donation in hopes of influencing more people to register as an organ donor.
“The price of admission is high, but it’s worth it and it’s all because I had a transplant,” she said.
Holdsworth received a new liver 15 years ago to help manage Crohn’s colitis, a disease she was diagnosed with at the age of 28.
She said increased awareness for organ donation can help save lives. One donor can save up to eight lives and improve the lives of 75 other people.
Although only a small number of people can actually donate an organ, Holdsworth said more registered donors are needed.
She is driving a friendly challenge among MPPs to encourage more Ontarians to participate in organ and tissue donation.
It’s easier than ever before to register consent to donate in an online registry through Trillium Gift of Life Network, a government-run organ and tissue donation agency charged with increasing donations across the province and improving related processes and functions.
The information is stored in a Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care database to ensure the decision to donate is known and respected.
People can register at www.beadonor.ca or by downloading a consent form at www.giftoflife.on.ca. The form can be dropped off at a local ServiceOntario centre or mailed to Organ Donor Consent ServiceOntario, PO Box 48, Kingston, ON, K7L 5J3.