From the hospital bed to the World Transplant Games!

In April 2023, I will participate in my first World Transplant Games in Perth (Australia), where I will compete in 100m, 200m, 400m, long jump, and javelin. Ten years after my kidney transplantation, it will be a unique opportunity to celebrate my second life.

At 18 years old, I was diagnosed with a severe kidney disease called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Within a few years time, the disease damaged my kidney so badly, that I was left with two choices: life-long dialysis or kidney transplantation. Luckily, my dad could give me the biggest gift in my life, a new kidney. Following surgery, a long journey made of hospital stays, doctor appointments and medication intake started. It took me a long time to get back to normal, accept my new life and call myself fit again.

Having noticed that I was fast at sprinting when playing field hockey, I decided in autumn 2021 to give it a try. I started athletics with the secret project to win the 100m and 200m sprints at the European Transplant Games in Oxford in Summer 2020. Counselled by an experienced sprint coach, I trained six to nine times per week to reach my goal. In Oxford, I was happily crowned European Champion on both distances and even broke both European records for transplanted female athletes (100m, 12.44s and 200m, 25.30s). Beyond running and winning, I was amazed by the amount of support and kindness within the community of transplanted athletes.

In Perth, I am aiming to break the World records for transplanted female athletes in 100m and 200m. In addition, I am really looking forward to meeting and spending time again with likeminded athletes with a similar story.

In addition, I also want this crowdfunding to benefit others in my community too if I can. Specifically, any amount (the cost of my flight to Perth are 1800 CHF) collected beyond the target of this crowdfunding will be donated to an organization that motivates tranplantees to get fit and healthy again (TransFit).

I really hope that my motivation and vision sparked your interest and thank you very much for helping me on this journey.