A young boy from Southwark has won two medals in the British Transplant Games.
Cruz Brown, aged eight, had a kidney transplant at Evelina London children’s hospital in 2021 and has been a patient at the hospital all his life, after being born with a rare kidney condition. Before his transplant he was getting dialysis at the hospital four times a week.
Cruz won a silver medal in the ball throw competition and a bronze in table tennis at the games, as part of the Evelina London team.
His mother Debbie said: “The Transplant Games were fantastic. Cruz was so excited to go and was counting down the days until the competition. The atmosphere was amazing. There were so many spectators cheering the children.
“The kidney transplant has completely transformed Cruz’s life. The games were our first ever holiday together. Before his transplant, going on holiday or even taking short breaks was difficult because Cruz needed dialysis four times a week.
“He is much more active now and can take part in sports without any issues. Seeing him enjoying himself, taking part in the events and winning medals was a really emotional moment for me. A year ago he was still on dialysis. It’s amazing seeing how far he has come.
“I’m incredibly grateful to Evelina London. His medical team have known Cruz since he was a baby and they are like a second family. It was lovely to spend time with them at the games and meet other families who have been on a similar journey to us. We had so much fun we’re already planning to go again next year.”
The British Transplant Games brings together hospital teams from across the UK to compete in 25 different sports events, such as swimming, tennis, table tennis, badminton, cycling and athletics.
Evelina’s team, called the Evelina VIPs, won 38 medals – eleven gold, fifteen silver and twelve bronze – and won the best children’s kidney team.
They were supported by team managers Grainne Walsh, who is a transplant advanced nurse practitioner, Cathy Gill, a senior play specialist and Pat Hayes, pharmacy operations manager, as well as eleven volunteers.
Grainne said: “It was fantastic to see Cruz taking part in the British Transplant Games. We’ve all known Cruz since he was very little and we’re delighted with how well he is doing.
“Having a child with a kidney transplant can be a very isolating experience. The games are a great opportunity for families to come together, develop a support network and celebrate the achievements of their children, who were previously very unwell.
“Fitness is very important following transplantation and we have a team at the games every year. This year was the first British Transplant Games since the pandemic and it was lovely to see so many of our patients and their families join us.
“We are all so grateful to the supporters of Evelina London Children’s Charity. Without their donations and support, we wouldn’t have been able to bring our amazing team to the British Transplant Games.”
This is not Cruz’s first brush with fame – In 2018 he met the Duchess of Cambridge at a special event at Evelina London to launch celebrations for the hospital’s 150th birthday. Cruz was featured on a special Evelina London 150th anniversary banner and helped the duchess to unveil it.