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

Eight years after receiving a life-saving bone marrow transplant at Sheffield Children’s, 12-year-old Myla is preparing to represent the hospital at the British Transplant Games.

Myla, from Sheffield, 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.

A life-changing journey

When Myla was four years old, she was diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia, a rare and serious condition in which the bone marrow stops producing enough blood cells. In Myla’s case, her bone marrow was completely empty and she needed a bone marrow transplant to survive.

While waiting for her transplant, Myla needed regular blood transfusions to keep her alive.

Myla has always understood the special role that blood donors played in her recovery. As she puts it: “My donor saved my life with his special blood.”

Her family has also spoken about the life-changing impact of those anonymous blood donations and the bone marrow transplant that followed.

Myla eventually received her life-saving bone marrow transplant at Sheffield Children’s when she was four years old.

Despite the seriousness of her condition and the challenges of her treatment, Myla remembers the care she received at Sheffield Children’s with great affection.

She said: “I loved my time at the Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Even though I was going through so much, the nurses, doctors and all the staff made it as enjoyable as it could be.

“The play team used to come and spend time with me as I couldn’t leave my room for five weeks and wasn’t allowed any visitors other than my parents. Even the staff that came round with the food would get me my favourite sandwich and crisps. The nurses and doctors really looked after me.”

Myla continues to be supported by Sheffield Children’s and now returns once a year to the Late Effects Clinic in Haematology and Oncology.

She also has a special thank you for Dr Katharine Patrick, who was her leading transplant doctor.

Back doing what she loves

Today, Myla is an active 12-year-old who loves sport, playing out with her friends and football. She plays for the Junior Blades in Sheffield and is looking forward to bringing her love of sport to the British Transplant Games.

She also continues to support Sheffield Children’s in other ways. Myla has taken part in campaigns to raise money and awareness for the hospital and is an advocate for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity.

She said: “I love doing sports and playing out with my friends. I love football and I play for the Junior Blades in Sheffield. I also love to do anything I can to help raise awareness and donations for the hospital.”

Taking part in the British Transplant Games is a particularly special opportunity for Myla, bringing together her love of sport with the hospital that cared for her during one of the most challenging times of her life.

She said: “I love to play sports and have fun. Being involved in the Transplant Games is something really special and I feel privileged to be part of something so amazing.”

Myla’s story is also a powerful reminder of the difference that donors can make. From the blood donors who helped keep her alive while she waited for treatment, to the donor whose bone marrow gave her the chance of a future, her story shows the extraordinary impact of donation.

As she joins Sheffield Children’s first-ever British Transplant Games team, Myla will be celebrating not only her own recovery, but also the care she received, the generosity of donors and the opportunities that transplantation has made possible.

The Sheffield Children’s team

Nine 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.”