Going for gold

Going for gold

20 August 2025

BALLYGOWAN woman Kathryn Glover is flying the flag for her home village at this week’s World Transplant Games in Germany.

Kathryn — whose life changed in 2009 when she received a life-saving kidney transplant — is representing Northern Ireland in Dresden when she will be up against some of the world’s best.

Now in their 25th year, the Games bring the best transplant athletes from across the globe together with Kathryn, who already has a haul of medals, going for gold.

The local woman is competing in the 50m backstroke, 200m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and discus events and is also making history as the Northern Ireland team is making its debut at the World Games.

In 2005, Kathryn was diagnosed with IGA Nephropathy and spent four years on peritoneal dialysis at the Ulster Hospital’s renal unit.

Since then, she has continued to excel, winning multiple medals across a range of sporting disciplines and is hoping to add to her tally this week.

Launched over 50 years ago, the Transplant Games are referred to as a “celebration of life” and have helped promote organ donation, encouraging people worldwide to register as donors and inspire transplant recipients to maintain their health and fitness. 

And the World Games also provide an opportunity to honour organ donors and their families and have become the world’s largest awareness event for the gift of life.

Kathryn, who in addition to competing is also the NI team’s assistant manager, explained her interest in the Games dates back to 2010 when she read an article about the British Transplant Games coming to Belfast the following year and there was an appeal for volunteers. 

“I decided that I would like to compete instead of just volunteering,” she said.

“Since then, I have taken part in 13 British Games and five World Transplant Games and this year in Dresden I’m competing in the 50m backstroke, 200m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and discus events.”

But what Kathryn is really excited about is the swimming leg of the triathlon team relay, a 500-metre outdoor swim, followed by a 20K cycle from a teammate and a 5K run from another transplant recipient. 

“This is only the second time a triathlon has featured at the World Games and the first time Northern Ireland has competed in this category,” she said.

And Kathryn is passionate about inspiring other transplant recipients to take up sport and exercise.

“I think the biggest thing is people are afraid to get into exercise post-transplant. There is nothing to be afraid of,” she said.

“We have athletes in the Games competing in everything from ten-pin bowling to high-impact sports like swimming, cycling and track and field. It is about setting yourself a goal, starting slowly, building up and you absolutely can do it.”

Highlighting the importance of organ donation, Kathryn said all 22 athletes from Northern Ireland competing in Dresden have been given “the gift of life”.

She added: “They are the absolute epitome of organ donation. 

“If you believe in organ donation, speak to your family and make them aware of your wishes, it could make a massive difference and give someone like me the second gift of life.”