Peter Heffernan received a kidney transplant in 2011. He resides in Skerries, Co. Dublin with his wife Patricia and is the proud father of two sons, Pearce and Cian.

Peter will be competing at this year’s World Transplant Games in the 60-69 category in the following events:

• Swimming – Freestyle 100m
• Swimming – Freestyle 200m
• Swimming – Freestyle 400m
• Swimming – Backstroke 50m
• Swimming – Backstroke 100m

Peter has previously participated in the World Transplant Games in South Africa 2013, Argentina 2015 and Spain 2017. He has also taken part in the European Transplant and Dialysis Sports Championships in Germany 2008, Dublin 2010, Croatia 2012, Poland 2014, Finland 2016 and Italy 2018.

Peter is a keen swimmer and swam across Dublin Bay in 1976. In 2013, in advance of the World Transplant Games, he organised a group of transplant recipients to repeat the swim in a relay as a way of showcasing the importance and success of organ donation and transplantation.

Peter credits the support of his family “through the good times and the bad” of his journey with renal failure which started in 2005.

“As a family we went to the World Games in South Africia in 2013 and had a wonderful time. Patricia and myself have both recently retired and we are enjoying every minute of it. Swimming has always been my sport and it is wonderful to be competing again with Transplant Team Ireland in the World Games.

This year will be my tenth games to attend (European and World), and I have been very lucky to medal in the pool at each games. I compete in the 60 to 69 age group and I am under great pressure competing this year with all of the young whippersnapper 60 year olds coming into the group. Thanks to my donor and their family, I have been given the gift of health and time to spend and enjoy with my family and friends. ‘I attended the British Games in Newcastle a number of years ago and I am looking forward to returning there to enjoy this vibrant city and its people.”