Inspirational transplant recipient preparing for Games thanks to shared organ donation scheme

A kidney transplant recipient who spent much of his childhood undergoing dialysis is preparing to represent Portsmouth at a major sporting event three years after receiving his third transplant.

The Westfield Health British Transplant Games, taking place in Sheffield b 6 to 9 August, is the flagship event of Transplant Active and celebrates the life-changing benefits of organ donation while promoting active recovery after transplantation.

More than 2,800 competitors, including over 1,000 transplant recipients, donor families and living donors, are expected to participate across 26 sports.

The Games also aim to encourage more people to have conversations with their loved ones about organ donation. One organ donor can save up to nine lives and transform the lives of many more.

Dan Carozzi, who manages the in-person IT Support Helpdesk at the University of Southampton, was born with kidney failure almost 39 years ago and received his first transplant when he was just nine months old.

The transplant was unsuccessful and the kidney had to be removed on his first birthday, beginning a lengthy childhood marked by hospital treatment and dialysis.

Dan initially underwent peritoneal dialysis for around 10 years to remove toxins and excess fluid from his body.

When scar tissue meant that treatment was no longer effective, he moved on to haemodialysis and travelled from Southampton to London three times each week for four years which meant missing three half-days of school every week.

In 2001, Dan received his second kidney transplant at Guy’s Hospital in London.

The transplant lasted for almost 20 years, giving him the freedom to live a more active life which included taking part in the British Transplant Games.

However, in 2021, routine blood tests revealed that the kidney was failing and he returned to dialysis for two years while waiting for another suitable kidney because he had developed a rare combination of antibodies.

Dan and his friends and family explored the UK Living Kidney Sharing Scheme, which allows incompatible donors and recipients to be matched with other pairs across the country.

Under the scheme, one of Dan’s friends donated a kidney to another patient while Dan received a compatible kidney, donated by someone connected to another pair, at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth on July 19, 2023.

Dan said: “Because of the antibodies I had developed, the team prepared me for a long wait. Previously, it had taken around 14 years before I received a transplant.

“The paired donation scheme meant one of my friends was able to donate to someone else and I could receive a kidney from another donor.

“It is an incredible system because several people can receive the transplant they need, even when their own relative is not a direct match.”

He will now be part of the Portsmouth team at the British Transplant Games where he will participate in the 2.5km donor run and darts.

At previous Games, Dan competed in sprinting, volleyball, badminton and long jump, and was part of a relay team that won a gold medal at Sheffield’s Don Valley Stadium.

He added: “I never take my transplant for granted. Every time I see my consultant, I am pleased when they tell me everything is going well, but I know the next appointment could bring different news.

“I would encourage everyone to talk openly with their family and friends about organ donation.

“If your loved ones ever have to make that incredibly difficult decision, knowing what you wanted may make it easier for them to respect your wishes.”

Kidney Care UK, the UK’s leading kidney patient support charity, is one of the lead sponsors of the Games and provides funding to help teams attend.

This year, the charity is supporting 12 teams, including Portsmouth, representing a quarter of all teams taking part.

Paul Bristow, Chief Executive of Kidney Care UK, said: “We’re delighted to be able to help Dan and the team from Portsmouth take part in the British Transplant Games in Sheffield this year.

“We share the ethos of the Games – promoting community, friendship, staying active and raising awareness about organ donation.

“It’s not just about the competition; it’s about celebrating resilience, forming lifelong connections and seeing transplant recipients thrive.

“The impact of the Games goes far beyond the sporting events themselves, and we’re proud to support a community that truly understands the power of the gift of life.”

For more information about the Westfield Health British Transplant Games, visit www.transplantactive.co.uk.

For more information about organ donation or to register your decision, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk.