James Nolan from Kilcullen, Co Kildare will represent Ireland at the European Transplant Sports Championships to be held in Lisbon Portugal from Sunday 21st July - 28th July 2024. This sporting event will be an invaluable opportunity to showcase the benefits of Organ Donation and it is a true celebration of the Gift of Life. James has represented Ireland at 8 Worlds, 10 Europeans, 8 German, 6 British, 1 National Games and 1 American Transplant Championships so is no stranger to these Championships. James is from Kilcullen in Co. Kildare where he lives with his wife Emma and son Andrew James. James and Emma run a 4th generation family butchering business known as Nolan’s of Kilcullen, which was established back in 1886. The business has won numerous awards including the award for the Best Butcher’s Shop in the U.K. & Ireland, which was awarded in the House of Lords, London in 2015. James, Emma & Andrew James are big GAA supporters following Kilcullen and Kildare. Not only that, but James also established the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund which has raised over 1.9 million for Kidney Research and facilities. James says: “I spent the first 20 years of my life dealing with kidney problems and all that goes with it. This included a year on dialysis before I was lucky to receive a life-saving kidney transplant from my sister, Catherine, on 25th July 1987. Fortunately, since the transplant, both Catherine and I continue to do well. I run a registered Irish Charity called The Punchestown Kidney Research Fund which has raised over €1.9 million for Kidney related projects. Ironically, I met my wife Emma at a PKRF Organ Donor Awareness Charity Ball.”
James notes: As a Team, we are totally united and incredibly aware as to just how grateful the Transplant Athletes are to all the Donor Families for giving us a second chance in Life. Transplant Sport Ireland (TSI) would simply like to say Thank You to all the Donor Families.’
James himself will take part in the Golf (singles & Pairs) and Athletics (200m, 400m, 800m & Relay) and says: ‘One of the many benefits open to transplant recipients is that you are eligible to participate in Transplant Sports once you return to good health. The Transplant Games encourages me to get fit to compete in my selected sports. Being part of Transplant Sport Ireland offers the amazing opportunity to represent Ireland, travel to different parts of the world, meet your peers with inspirational stories and make friends for life. Lisbon will be my 35th Transplant Games. The Games inspires me to remain as fit as possible in order to compete to the best of my ability at my selected sports which are Athletics & Golf. Being part of Transplant Sport Ireland enables me to set personal targets and motivates me to stay fit and healthy – both mentally as well as physically. I find the people on dialysis incredibly inspirational and a reminder of just how lucky I am.’
James advises: For anyone out there considering participating at theses Transplant & Dialysis championships, “Just Do It…”. You will never regret it. Life is too short to be worrying that you are not fast enough or skilled enough. Get involved while you can and don’t live to regret not trying it out. This year, James hosted - in Kilcullen Community Centre - the TSI Launch Day for the Lisbon 2024 European Sports Championship & British Transplant Games in Nottingham. Motivational speaker Brian Cody (of Kilkenny Hurling fame) presented the Team Kit and expressed his admiration for all the Team Ireland transplant & dialysis athletes. He also stressed the need in sports for resilience and bounce-back-ability, and he shared with the group his words to players in the dressing room before an important match – Go play, don’t let pressure stop you from playing. He named qualities that he saw in the Irish Transplant team: determination, drive, ambition, true grit and stressed the need for positivity at all times.
Organ donors save lives. At any one time in Ireland there are between 550 and 600 people active on waiting lists for organ transplants including heart, lung, liver, bone marrow, kidney, and pancreas. James advises those waiting on a transplant: It is not easy at the best of time but please never give up hope .