Games Event Rejects Prior Transplant Patient

British Transplant Games have barred Hannah Clark, from Mountain Ash, South Wales, from competing in their sports events after her donor transplant heart of 10 years was removed to allow the working of her own heart.

Hannah Clark is considered to be the first in the UK to have her own heart –which was never removed -restarted after her donor heart was rejected.

The original transplant operation was conducted because Hannah had cardiomyopathy. However in February in a pioneering surgery the donor heart was removed after being rejected by Hannah’s and her own heart restarted.

British Transplant Games officials claim that she can no longer compete for medals at the Games being held in Bath in August as she doesn’t have a transplant any longer. Patients with transplanted organs, across the UK are allowed to compete in their sports events.

Hannah had taken part in these games several times in the past, in events such as long jump, table tennis and the 50m sprint.

Christine Evans, chairwoman of the British Transplant Sports Association said that she would be delighted to see Hannah at the games and she would be invited to present prizes.

Carol Davidson, children's events organizer for the transplant games, mentioned that she planned to arrange a special event for Hannah such as an obstacle race or throwing event where she could compete against siblings of transplantees.

However Hannah's mother, Elizabeth Clark, has criticized the decision by the organizers claiming that the Transplant Games were a real boost for her and that the only reason why she agreed to the operation in February was the assurance that she could still compete in the Transplant Games.