MAURICE SLAPAK CBE 1930-2026

We are sad to announce that Maurice passed away peacefully on Sunday, whilst the Transplant Active family were competing and partying at this years British Transplant Games – all because of Maurice!  

He was both an influential Transplant Surgeon and very proficient tennis player. He recognised the aim of rehabilitating organ transplant recipients through activity. His inspiration and enthusiastic, passionate organisation led to the first ever Transplant Games held on Southsea Seafront in Portsmouth on August 20^th 1978.

 Ninety nine participants from 12 UK Hospitals and Transplant competitors from 5 other countries took part. These inaugural ‘Transplant Olympics’ gave birth to both the British Transplant Games and World Transplant Games. He would be very proud of the 48^th British Transplant Games held in Sheffield over last weekend with 1127 transplant competitors, 219 living donor competitors and over 1250 donor families and supporters.

An apt legacy for his initial vision demonstrating the importance of activity to build self-esteem and foster peer support amongst organ transplant recipients, live donors and donor families.

We are very sad to lose Maurice who has throughout his life been a passionate ambassador of Transplant Sport and helped to catalyse the development of Transplant Games in many countries across the world. He was the inaugural Chairman of Transplant Sport UK and held the first post of President of the World Transplant Games Federation from 1987-2004.

In recognition of his achievement, he was made a Patron of Transplant Sport UK. Many transplant recipients from throughout the UK and wider world will have experienced the humour, passion, camaraderie and vision when they met Maurice.

On behalf of the whole Transplant Sport Family, our deepest condolences go to his family and friends. Maurice will remain deep in the hearts of so many and his legacy will continue to go from strength to strength.

Dr Paul Harden                                                                Lynne Holt

Chairman, Transplant Sport UK                                   Patron Transplant Sport UK