Meet Craig Sutcliffe, who has just competed in his first British Transplant Games, following a kidney transplant just over a year ago.
Craig was diagnosed with IG Nephritis at the age of 11, and has managed the condition through staying fit, and leading a healthy lifestyle, alongside treatment to slow the progression and keep his kidney functioning well enough to avoid the need for dialysis, or a transplant.
At the age of 47 though, Craig fell ill with a heart condition leading to surgery to insert three stents. This was, however, a hereditary condition, totally unrelated to his kidney disease. After this though he had a viral infection, which lead to him having further issues with his kidneys, and his kidney function was starting to reduce. This was managed by renal team in Bradford for a few years, but it was only a matter of time before he would need to start thinking about dialysis and a potential transplant.
His wife, Julie, went through all of the testing to see if she was a match for him to donate a kidney, and luckily, she was, and just before he was due to start preparing for dialysis, he was scheduled in for a transplant. This took place in April 2024, and since then he has recovered well and also changed career, doing more of what he loves, which is playing the piano and writing music. Craig plays regularly for weddings and events, and has also recently begun playing in care homes, which gives the residents great pleasure – especially helping dementia patients.
When he was younger Craig always loved football, and also was a keen cyclist, enjoying road racing, and in particular was a decent sprinter. Craig was keen to get back to physical activity and was delighted to be told he could cycle again some months after his transplant. Craig discovered the Leeds Adult team for the British Transplant Games, and after getting touch the team leader, Kirsty, he signed up to the team to take part in Cycling and the football team. This gave him extra motivation to get active, and the training has helped his recovery enormously.
Craig had a fantastic weekend at the games, taking part in two cycling events, the Time Trial and the Road Race, and was part of the Team Leeds 6-a-side football team. He came away with a Bronze medal for the time trial and his team won a silver in the 6-a-side football tournament.
Being part of the games was not about winning medals, though. For Craig, being involved in the games has given him a greater sense of purpose. Giving him the motivation to keep pushing forward.
Craig picks out the opening ceremony at Blenheim Palace as the highlight of the games, where the teams from all over the country are introduced, with the final team being the donor family team, those who have given organs through living donation, or whose family members have donated after they have passed away. They are the reason why all the athletes competing over the weekend were able to be there.
Craig is keen to continue to use the Transplant Games as motivation to stay active and fit, and to look after his kidney he is so grateful for. He is already looking forward to the 2026 games which are being held in Sheffield. Craig is looking forward to his ‘home’ games and also has ambitions to aim for the national team, who take part in the World Transplant Games!
Let’s celebrate Craig, and all who took part in the British Transplant Games this year. Special thanks must go to all who give up their time to make the event happen every year, giving everyone taking part the chance to live their lives to the fullest.
We look forward to being part of the Games next year in Sheffield.