From Dublin to Sheffield: Sarah’s journey to the British Transplant Games

Meet Sarah – from transplant patient to British Transplant Games competitor!

Just one year after receiving a life-saving bone marrow transplant at Sheffield Children’s, 16-year-old Sarah is preparing to represent the hospital at the British Transplant Games.

Sarah, from Dublin, Ireland, is one of the team members competing as part of Sheffield Children’s first-ever team at the Games, which take place across Sheffield this August.

The Games

The Games, taking place in Sheffield from 6–9 August, bring together thousands of transplant recipients, living donors and donor families to celebrate the life-changing impact of organ and stem cell donation through sport.

The 2026 Games are particularly special for Sheffield Children’s as it celebrates its 150th anniversary. For the first time, Sheffield Children’s is entering its own team, sponsored by Westfield Health and Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity.

For 150 years, Sheffield Children’s has been driven by its commitment to create healthier futures for every child. From everyday concerns to complex conditions and life-saving treatment, Sheffield Children’s has cared for children, young people and their families across Sheffield, South Yorkshire and beyond. Today, that same belief remains unchanged: every child deserves the same chance to be healthy, no matter where they live or what challenges they face.

Sarah and her brother, and donor, James

A life-changing journey

Sarah was diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia in April 2025. After receiving treatment in Dublin, her condition meant she needed specialist care and she was flown to Sheffield via air ambulance to Sheffield Children’s, where she underwent a bone marrow transplant. Her brother James was her stem cell donor.

During her recovery, Sarah was supported by the team on Ward 6 at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, who helped make being so far from home a little easier.

Sarah said:

“The care I received was unmatched – unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. It was amazing. Even though I was far from home, all the staff on Ward 6 made me feel like I was home.”

Back doing what she loves

Before becoming unwell, Sarah had played Gaelic football for six years and loved keeping active. Now, just a year after her transplant, she’s back enjoying life to the fullest.

When she’s not shopping, spending time with friends at youth group or working out at the gym, she’s back on the Gaelic football pitch and training for the British Transplant Games.

Competing is an exciting milestone in Sarah’s recovery and a chance to celebrate how far she has come since her transplant.

Sarah said:

“I’m really excited to be taking part in the Transplant Games. It’s amazing to think how much has changed in just one year, and I’m looking forward to meeting other transplant recipients and celebrating everything we’ve been through.”

Sarah’s story is a powerful reminder of the life-changing impact of stem cell transplantation and the incredible resilience of young people recovering from serious illness. As she joins Sheffield Children’s first-ever British Transplant Games team, she’ll be celebrating not only her own recovery, but also the care she received, the generosity of her donor, and the opportunities that transplantation has made possible.

The Sheffield Children’s team

Seven young people from Sheffield Children’s will compete as part of Team Sheffield Children’s across a range of sporting events. Each has their own unique story of resilience and determination, united by the life-changing impact of transplantation.

The team includes children and young people who have received kidney, bone marrow, stem cell and double lung transplants, with competitors travelling from across the region – and beyond – to take part under the Sheffield Children’s banner.

The British Transplant Games are about much more than medals. They celebrate the generosity of donors and their families, promote the benefits of physical activity after transplant, and give recipients the opportunity to meet others who share similar experiences. Sheffield Children’s will be joining adult competitors from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as part of the city’s hosting team. Sheffield 2026 is on track to be the largest in Games history with a record number of 2,857 people registered to participate!

Yvonne Millard, Chief Nurse at Sheffield Children’s, said:

“We’re incredibly proud to be entering a Sheffield Children’s team in the British Transplant Games for the very first time. Each member of our team has shown remarkable courage and resilience, and their participation is a celebration of how transplantation can help children and young people build healthier futures.

“As we celebrate our 150th anniversary, it’s a privilege to cheer on these inspirational young people while recognising the extraordinary generosity of donors and their families, whose gift has made these moments possible.”