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Name: Sheila Gregan

From: Nenagh, Co. Tipperary

Age category: 50-59

Sports:                     

• Sprint Triathlon
• 5km Road Race
• Breaststroke 50m
• Breaststroke 100m
• Freestyle 50m

Sheila trains with both Nenagh Masters Swimming and Nenagh Triathlon club and is extremely grateful for all their help and input.

Sheila is one of the many ‘newbies’ who joined the team in 2010 when Ireland hosted the European Transplant & Dialysis Games in Dublin. Since then, she has become a seasoned campaigner in transplant sport having represented Ireland at multiple events around the world and picked up many medals and good memories on the way.

She is really looking forward to heading to Perth in April as it is her way of honouring her donor and donor family. Without her transplant she would not be able to participate in the games. “I am also looking forward to meeting old friends and make new ones. Roll on Perth 2023!!”

If you were to recommend being a member of Transplant Team Ireland to others on dialysis or transplant recipients, what would you say are the benefits?

“I would highly recommend being a member of Transplant Team Ireland as keeping fit and healthy is important for both physical and mental health whether on dialysis or living with an organ transplant. There is great camaraderie between all members – just like one big happy family. I have always felt very much part of the team from day one and I have always received great support from other team members and I would like to think that I could support both new and old team members in any way I can – paying it forward so to speak!”

What do you hope to get from your World Games experience this year?

“I hope to enjoy the whole experience of the games, participating to the best of my ability and I hope to convey the message that organ donation works and I am living proof of that!!”

Is there anything you are looking forward to about this year’s venue (Perth) in particular?

“I am looking forward to the whole experience as Australia is so sports focussed, especially swimming. This is also the first time that there is a sprint triathlon event which I am really looking forward to participating in. I am also looking forward to some good weather (hopefully)!”