Transplant athletes in preparation for °91 World Games OPTIMISTIC IS the best way to describe three North Shore resi- dents who are training for the eighth World Transplant Games in Budapest, Hungary this August. By Elizabeth Collings News Reporter After battling severe setbacks due to congenital or diabetes- complicated kidney failure, the three, who eventually received organ transplants, say they’ve ex- perienced a rebirth. And they don’t want to dwell on the past, says Pat Jefferies. “We're very grateful for the lives we have,’’ she says. Jefferies, 38, Bill Shkwark, 23, and Roger Roberts, 35, are among 30 B.C. organ tranplant recipients who are busy raising funds in col- laboration with the Canadian Transplant Games Association (CTGA) to participate in the games. At $2,100 per athlete, CTGA is attempting to raise $60,000. The goa! of the World Transplant Games, which are scheduled to take place in Van- couver in 1993, is to raise awareness about organ donation. TL PVE MY MINE BLINDS My dolls off sugg. retail .bed and | had no energy, “We're looking forward to meeting other transplantees and cultures and (seeing) their at- titudes towards organ transplant,’ Jefferies says. According to Roberts, the games will also illustrate what transplantees are capable of do- ing. “‘The games show to the world that tranplantees can do anything anyone else can,’* Reberts says. After a joint kidney and pan- creas transplant last May 20 — only the second performed in B.C. — Roberts, a diabetic, plans to be fit enough to compete in the games’ 20-kifometre cycling race. Although a reaction to anti- rejection drugs left Roberts with some nerve damage in one leg, he is rapidly improving — from wheelchair to walker, then from two canes to one. Also a diabetic, Jefferies retired from teaching a few years ago because of complications from the disease. Six months later her kidneys failed. She was on hone dialysis for 10 weeks ‘‘and just wasting away in "* she says. ‘I literally couldn’t lift up the phone.”’ After a kidney transplant on micros, minis, roller blinds and verticals Sale ends May 31/94 A SHADE TAR Specializing in Blinds and Draperies for over 7 years 4877 Marine Drive, NVan. GB4-44Q4 #4-38918 Progress Way, Squamish Whistier 892-5857 932-6617 Bee NEWS photo Terry Peters BUDAPEST BOUND: Roger Roberts, teft, Bill Shkwark and Pat Jefferies are gearing up for the eight World Transplant Games in Hungary this August. An estimated 1,200 transplantees will compete in e games. Aug. 10, 1988, Jefferies, who is entered in the ball throwing event at the games, says she is back toa productive life. “Tam at the point where I’m able to make some contributions back to society,’’ she says. know their wishes to donate organs so families aren’t faced with the final decision during 2 difficult time. “it's an especially traumatic time for the family to lose some- one and it’s such a shock,’’ she Transplant Games he will play golf. The message the transplantees want to promote is aptly spelled out on Roberts’ sweatshirt: Don’t take your organs to heaven, heaven knows we need them here. oa Born with a congenital kidney According to Jefferies, the says. condition, Shkwark was 16 when number of tranplants performed “But their loss can be, for sev- he started going to Children’s in B.C. in the last few months eral people, a_ gift of life,” Hospital three times a week for have slowed down while the Roberts adds. kidney dialysis. in March 1987 he had a kidney transplant which has given him a new lease on life. At the Worid waiting lists grows because of lack of donors. She stresses that it is important for people to let their families CTGA can be reached at P.O. Box 2167-MPO, 349 West Georgia St., Vancouver, B.C., V6B 3V3. tenet ert 6/85g. cans Beef & Liver, Salmon Feast Whitefish &Tuna & Turkey Giblets PET FOOD HW MORE 925-3334 Store Hours: Manday Wednesday 10am-7pm, — Thursday-Friday 10am-9nm: Saturday 1Gatn-6pm, Sunday & Holidays 1tam-fen 5323 Headland Drive West Vancouver Sales end May 12/91 CAULFEILD VILLAGE