Making a splash 38-years post bone marrow transplantation

Camaraderie, commitment and courage are three words that come to Lisa Cuthbertson’s mind when she talks about the World Transplant Games, recently held in Perth, Western Australia, 15-21 April 2023.  

“Camaraderie because everyone there has had a second chance at life and so many memorable moments are shared and friendships formed,” she says. “There’s commitment to living with a passion and thanking donors for the gift of life, with a healthy dose of courage on top. Many have faced adversity to get back on track. And then there are the donor families who attend the Games to cheer the athletes on. Their generosity lies at the heart of the event.” 

The World Transplant Games, hosted by Transplant Australia and sanctioned by the World Transplant Games Federation, is the world’s largest awareness-raising event for organ and tissue donation. 

Approximately 1,500 participants from more than 45 countries competed in 17 different sports in Perth over 7 days, in a celebration of life, through sport. 

The event is open to recipients of solid organ transplants, including heart, liver, lung, kidney and pancreas transplants as well as those who have received bone marrow transplants. It is all about honouring donors and encouraging transplant recipients to be fit and active. 

Lisa received a bone marrow transplant in 1985 for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney. Since Lisa’s successful transplant she has been actively involved in the Transplant Games and has also helped other patients that have received a bone marrow transplant, including as a member of the Arrow board for nearly 10 years.

Fast forward to 2023, and Perth was her 17th World Games (12 summer and 5 winter) where she competed in five swimming events and three relays. Her sister, her donor, also competed in the donor events, winning a gold medal.

“I won medals in each of the colours (four gold, one sliver and three bronze) and lo and behold a Games record in the 400m which I was very happy with!” Lisa said. 

“But the best part, as always, is what the Games give me: a healthy sense of life perspective, a shared sense of the joy of being alive, poignant memories, and many laughs. Everyone has a story. Everyone acknowledges the generosity of donors and is thankful for the care and compassion of those in the medical profession. Everyone is dancing to the beat of a second chance at life. 

Lisa encourages all those who have had a transplant to dive in, have a hit, or maybe a throw.  

“It is a very special event, with a purposeful message. When I had my transplant, you couldn’t receive bone marrow from an unrelated donor. I was lucky as my one and only sister was a perfect match — others are not so lucky. Now, it’s possible a match may be found — if people make the magnanimous decision to sign up to give someone the gift of life.

“Some 1500 people were at the Games because of donors, both living and deceased, and their families. Not to mention the medical teams behind them. My gold medals go to Dr Kerry Atkinson, my transplant doctor, Dr Richard Pembrey, my oncologist and one very special nurse, Val Dempsey. With one left over for my sister. I can’t thank them enough.” 

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Register as a bone marrow donor

For more information on how to become a bone marrow donor, please visit the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry’s Strength to Give.