The British Transplant Games
This summer, nine‑year‑old Noah travelled to Sheffield with his mum Beccy and dad Garth to take part in the British Transplant Games. The Games bring together children and adults who have received transplants, offering a space to compete, reconnect and celebrate how far they’ve come. For Noah’s family, it was a chance to be surrounded by people who understand their journey and to see Noah enjoy a few days where he felt completely at ease.
They have been attending the Games for several years, and it has become an important part of their lives. Beccy explained how much it means to Noah to be there:
“He said he doesn’t feel so different there.”
The Games also give families the chance to meet others who have shared similar experiences. As Beccy said:
“It’s nice to catch up with them and see how well the kids are doing. We also went with Noah’s best friend Ariana, who Noah first met in hospital when they were both tiny, and it’s lovely to see how they’ve grown and how well they’re doing now.”
Noah and Ariana met in the first year of their lives on the the Dialysis Unit at Bristol Children’s Hospital and are the best of friends. They travelled to the Transplant Games together and they do so every year.
This year was especially memorable. Noah took part in two events and came home with two gold medals! One for the obstacle course and one for the 50‑metre sprint. Well done Noah! Beccy said proudly:
“He was really, really good.”
Next year, the Games will be held in Birmingham, close to the hospital where Noah received his transplant. The family already plans to return.
Noah’s Medical Journey
Noah’s achievements at the Games are even more meaningful when you understand his story.
Beccy describes her pregnancy as straightforward, but from the moment Noah was born she felt something wasn’t right. She took him to the doctor several times, only to be dismissed. Two days later, Noah became very unwell and started bringing up blood.
He was rushed to Southmead Hospital, where a doctor ran a blood test and immediately took him into resus. At just eleven weeks old, Noah needed temporary dialysis, a blood transfusion and intensive care.
After days of testing, Beccy was told Noah had Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1, a rare condition where the liver produces too much calcium oxalate. As she explained:
“He is missing an enzyme that controls how much calcium oxalate the liver produces, and without it his kidneys are basically calcified. All of these crystals go through his organs and can’t pass through.”
To survive, Noah needed both a liver transplant and a kidney transplant.
He received his liver transplant at ten months old. His kidney transplant followed in March 2023, after five and a half years of daily dialysis.
Noah’s liver has been stable, but his kidney remains fragile. It currently works at around twenty percent. He tires easily, his muscles didn’t fully develop during years of illness, and he is immunosuppressed, which means even simple days out need careful planning.
They are really fortunate to have gone to Disneyland Paris this year, with plenty of very careful planning, and still not the easiest experience at times, but they still had a magical time.
Jessie May’s Support
Jessie May began supporting Noah in 2018, at a time when his care needs were complex and constant. Their nurses quickly became a lifeline for the whole family. They were specially trained to manage Noah’s central line and adrenal insufficiency, and were one of the only people outside the hospital able to safely look after him. Their visits gave Beccy and Garth precious breathing space, allowing them to spend time with Coel and Lorelei, or simply do everyday things that had become impossible during long periods of shielding and hospital stays.
Beccy shared how much this meant to them: “It’s nice to just give us a bit of normality.”
For years, Jessie May’s support helped the family navigate relentless medical routines, long stretches of missed school, and the emotional weight of Noah’s treatments. Today, that support continues; Jessie May remains a steady source of reassurance, helping the family hold onto moments of normal life in the middle of everything they manage.
Looking Ahead
Noah will need another kidney transplant in the future, but for now he is enjoying school, spending time with his siblings and celebrating his achievements.
The Transplant Games remind Noah of everything he has overcome. And Jessie May will continue to be by the family’s side, offering care and support for as long as they need us.
