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Transplant woman's golden games
She's our very own gold medal champ... and she has overcome more than most.
Athlete Zoe Dixon is celebrating after scooping five gold medals and an armful of silverware at the British Transplant Games.
The Garstang 39-year old has returned triumphant from Sheffield having won the 100m and 200m track events, tennis singles, cycling 5k time trials and 10k road race, a trophy for cycling and the Victrix Ludorum trophy for overall success for the fourth time
Zoe, who had a kidney transplant nine years ago, has picked up dozens of medals since she began competing in 2001.
The civil service commercial manager said: "It is great to be able to compete at the Transplant Games and promote awareness and demonstrate healthy life after transplant.
"This is a second chance. You have to make the most of it, live life to the full."
Zoe was 23 when diagnosed with kidney failure. She began dialysis and was put on the waiting list for a transplant.
After seven and a half years, in May 1999, Zoe received a life-changing transplant.
While on dialysis she heard about the Transplant Games and promised herself that if she was lucky enough to get a transplant she would compete to raise awareness of organ donation.
She wasn't well enough to compete in the 2001 World Transplant Games, but took part in the British Games that year and won gold, silver and bronze medals. Since then, she has competed every year.
Last year Zoe took part in the World Transplant Games in Bangkok, where she won three gold medals and two silvers.
She won gold in the 5km and 20km cycling races and the four-by-four 100m relay, and silver in the 100m and 200m sprints.
Zoe is now keenly anticipating next year, after being selected for the World Transplant Games on Australia's Gold Coast.
Christine Evans, chairman of Transplant Sport UK said: "The games give transplant athletes a chance to celebrate their second chance and thank the organ donors and their families.
"There is no better proof of the power of the gift of life."
The games aim to raise awareness of the need for organ donation as well as encourage people with a potentially fatal condition to live life to the full.
To become an organ donor visit www.uktransplant.org.uk or call 0845 60 60 400
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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