"Three years ago she was on life support and now she has won a gold medal. It is just phenomenal."
Those were the words of proud dad Shaun Sidney after watching his inspirational daughter win gold at the British Transplant Games.
Kayleigh Llewellyn was just 12 when her life was saved by a heart transplant at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital. The Seaham youngster was diagnosed with a form of heart disease called cardiomyopathy in 2019 after suddenly suffering from chest pains and struggling to breathe.
After spending weeks in intensive care she was placed on the urgent transplant list for a new heart and in November 2019 the prayers of her parents Shaun Sidney and Sonia Llewellyn were answered when a donor was found. Since then, Kayleigh has amazed doctors with her recovery and now the 14-year-old has competed alongside other transplant recipients in the British Transplant Games.
The annual event, which celebrates life, was held in Leeds from July 28 to 31 with transplant athletes competing in a range of sports. Kayleigh, who has made it her mission to raise awareness of organ donation, won gold in under-15s football after competing with other teams from hospitals across the UK and Ireland.
"It has been an amazing four days," dad Shaun said.
"The whole experience was just phenomenal. There were teams from hospitals all over the UK and Ireland. There were thousands of people there and it was so emotional.
"The Freeman Hospital team was just phenomenal and the amount of medals they got was just unreal. There was a gala night at the Leeds Armoury [Royal Armouries Museum] and the Freeman walked away with the trophy for best heart team, it was so emotional.
"Kayleigh absolutely loved it. She played seven games of football and won every game, beating Ireland 3-1 in the final to take the gold.
"I had tears in my eyes when she won and I fill up now thinking about it. Three years ago she was on life support and now she has won a gold medal. It is just phenomenal."
Kayleigh, who dedicated her win to her heart donor Sinead Bree, is said to be on 'cloud nine' following her win. Posting to her followers on Facebook, she said of the experience: "It’s crazy to look around and realise you’re not alone, but when you’re going through your transplant it feels like you are the only person in the world.
"Thank you to all the donors and donors' families who make this possible. For me, Sinead saved my life and I’m eternally grateful for my gift of life. "
Dad Shaun said that the British Transplant Games are an inspiring way to show what happens with organ donation.
"As parents, we are so proud of Kayleigh but know that it is not just about her, it is about getting the message out about organ donation and getting people to have that chat," dad Shaun said.
"It is not a nice thing to do but if it wasn't done for Kayleigh we would have lost her."
To register to be an organ donor visit: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-your-decision/donate/
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