Deirdre Faul received a transplant in 2003. She lives in Dalkey, Co Dublin.

This summer is her 13th time to compete with Team Ireland where she will be in the 50-59 years age category in the following events:

• Swimming – Breaststroke 100m
• Swimming – Breaststroke 50m
• Swimming – Freestyle 200m
• Swimming – Freestyle 400m
• Squash Singles

Deirdre is a liver transplant recipient & long-time member of Transplant Team Ireland.  She is an all-round athlete who has competed as part of Transplant Team Ireland since 2006 in a huge number and variety of different sports. The last few years she has focused on swimming and squash.

Deirdre has competed in the following previous games:

World Transplant Games – 2007 Thailand, 2009 Australia, 2011 Sweden, 2013 South Africa, 2015 Argentina, 2017 Spain.

European Transplant & Dialysis Sports Championships – 2006 Hungary, 2008 Germany, 2010 Dublin, 2014 Poland, 2016 Finland, 2018 Italy.

Deirdre’s recovery after her transplant was not easy or straightforward. Every day she is conscious of her health and believes the key to staying healthy is through family support, a healthy lifestyle, good food & exercise regime.

She cherishes the time spent as a member of Transplant Team Ireland;

“Being a member of Transplant Team Ireland and participating at the games means the world to me. I believe through participation I have been enabled to get back to a full and healthy lifestyle, and they have also provided me with a positive way to promote organ donation while doing something I love.’

‘Attitude is everything.  The strength of a person is shown when things get tough. Transplant Team Ireland has such a great attitude, we have been there, done that – participating in the games is the reward and allows us all to make a difference in a positive way.

The publicity gained by our team, through participation in such a prestigious event, also helps to encourage and promote the life-giving act of organ donation. I also see it as a way to honour my donor, give something back and potentially help someone else obtain that much needed gift.’ ‘Last but not least a big thank you to Swim Ireland for their support and a shout out to all the swimmers who have encouraged and supported me on my journey. I will do my best at the games, and hopefully win some medals to generate publicity and promote organ donation. I’m looking forward to celebrating life with the team, catching up with old friends and making new ones.’