Pinetown’s Marilee honours donor at Games

PINETOWN resident and recipient of a simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant five years ago, Marilee Chananie (44), recently returned from participating in the World Transplant Games in Newcastle, UK.

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KZN brought home seven of the 67 medals won by South Africa as it finished in fifth place out of 59 participating countries.

These were the first world games for Chananie to participate in and she attests that the standards were high.

“I spent 18 months preparing and practicing in both tennis and petanque (a form of bowling) and I am proud to have finished ninth in ladies Petanque for my age group and won a bronze medal together with my Petanque doubles partner, Robyn Emslie from East London,” she said.

According to Chananie, her aim for these games was to honour her donor and their family with her participation.

“Without their gifts, this would not have been possible. Equally so, I want to thank my coaches Garry Westle (Pinelands Tennis Club) and Richard Siedle of Club Petanque de Durban, for their patience and dedication to helping me achieve. Also my husband, Jo and my brothers, Graham and Barry and parents for being the best supporters ever,” she said.

The Transplant Games, which cover a range of sporting activities, including track and field athletics, race walking, tennis, squash, golf, Petanque, cycling, swimming, road running, darts and 10 Pin Bowling, are held in as high esteem as the Commonwealth Games and Olympic games and are as just as challenging for athletes.

Athletes who participate in the World Transplant Games are also awarded their Protea Colours.

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Chananie believes that more education is needed on transplants and how to become a donor.

“Through sharing our stories of our journeys from ill-health to transplant and a second chance at life, we hope to inspire more families to discuss organ donation,” she said.

Chananie also sits on the KZN Transplant Sports Association (KZNTSA), the association is part of SATSA and like its mother organisation, and aims at more than just participation in the games.

“KZNTSA also aims encouraging transplantees to be more active more often. Additionally, KZNTSA aims at creating more public awareness of the dire need for organ donors, particularly in KZN,” she added.

To arrange a talk on organ donation at your company, school, church or sports club, contact Marilee Chananie or one of the committee members via email on kzn@transplantsports.org.za.

To learn more about organ donation, visit the following resources www.TELL.org.za ; www.odf.org.za or www.hero777.co.za

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