Liver transplant athletes at British Transplant Games 2026
For Organ Donation Week, we’re shining a spotlight on our liver transplant recipients who took part in the British Transplant Games this year in Sheffield.
Our children and young people competitors were Carter Currie, Grace Kelly, Indie Hogan, Lucyellen Johnston and Cathan Owens, alongside adult competitors Sharon Millen, Cecil Floyd and Wallace Canmore.
The children and young people had a brilliant few days, taking part in track and field, swimming, badminton and an obstacle course race, as well as enjoying a silent disco one evening!
There were some fantastic achievements too. Grace won two gold medals and a silver, as well as receiving the Players’ Player Award. Indie won bronze in the 60m, and Cathan won bronze in badminton.
Our adult competitors also had a successful Games. Cecil won gold in golf, Wallace won silver in the 400m, and Sharon won gold in both the discus and 3km race walk.
The British Transplant Games are a great way to show what life after transplantation can look like. None of these children or adults would have been able to take part without the generosity of their organ donors.
This Organ Donation Week, we celebrate our transplant recipients and remember the donors who made it all possible.

Seamus Cunningham

In 2003, Seamus Cunningham from Fintona was living with end-stage liver disease caused by Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. He received a liver transplant aged 53, that gave him a second chance at life.
Twenty-three years later, Seamus continues to enjoy the life made possible by his organ donor.
His transplant has allowed him to be there for his two children, Gráinne and Padhraic, and to be a big part of his grandchildren’s lives, watching them grow up and sharing many special family moments along the way.

Seamus continues to live an active and fulfilling life and enjoys getting out for a walk every day.
His story is a great example of the difference organ donation can make. A liver transplant didn’t just save Seamus’s life – it gave him another 23 years with his family and the opportunity to see his children and grandchildren grow, for which he is forever grateful.
This Organ Donation Week, we remember the organ donors and donor families who make stories like Seamus’s possible.

Cecil Floyd.

In December 2022, Cecil Floyd, from Belfast received a life-saving liver transplant after developing end-stage liver disease as a result of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC).
Since his transplant, Cecil now 66, has certainly made the most of his second chance at life.
Cecil and his family have taken part in the Belfast City Marathon Relay every year since, on behalf of our Group, helping to raise funds.
He has also gone on to compete at the World Transplant Games last year and the British Transplant Games this year. A keen footballer, Cecil has also represented Transplant Sport Northern Ireland at two World Transplant Football Tournaments.

Today, Cecil is extremely fit and active and continues to enjoy doing the things he loves.
None of this would have been possible without his organ donor and the liver transplant that saved his life.
Cecil’s story is another great example of what organ donation can make possible – not only saving a life, but giving someone the opportunity to get back to living it fully.

This Organ Donation Week, we remember the donors and donor families whose generosity makes stories like Cecil’s possible.

Aaron Smyth

In 2016, at just 23 years old, Aaron Smyth received a life-saving liver transplant after becoming seriously ill with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC).
Aaron’s health had deteriorated to the point where he had to put his university studies and much of his life on hold. Fortunately, living liver donation was an option and his cousin Robert volunteered to be tested and was found to be a match.
In October 2016, Robert donated part of his liver to Aaron at King’s College Hospital in London, making Aaron the first adult from Northern Ireland to receive a living donor liver transplant.
Following his recovery, Aaron returned to Queen’s University Belfast and completed his Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He married Eimear in 2020 and they now have two children – a future made possible by the incredible gift his cousin Robert gave him.
This Organ Donation Week, Aaron’s story is a wonderful example of the life-changing difference organ donation, including living donation, can make.