08/06/2026
Best of luck pat!💪
For Pat Savage, competing at the European Transplant Games in Arnhem will mean far more than representing Ireland.
It will be an opportunity to honour the friend who gave him a second chance at life. 💚
📍 Old Leighlin, Co. Carlow
💚 Living Donor Kidney Transplant Recipient
🗓️ Transplanted in 2021
🇮🇪 First International Games
Pat spent two years on dialysis before receiving a kidney from a close friend in 2021.
Before his transplant, life revolved around treatment, illness and recovery.
💬 "Pre-transplant, I was either receiving dialysis or feeling unwell. My wife held the fort while I was sick."
Today, life looks very different.
💬 "I can now be part of my children's activities, attend games, coach teams and simply be a normal dad again."
For Pat, representing Ireland is about much more than sport.
💬 "I'll feel incredibly proud to represent my country, but also my living donor and his family for the Gift of Life they have given me."
As a coach involved in athletics, hurling and soccer, Pat understands the importance of staying active and connected.
He hopes his story will encourage others to think about organ donation and the extraordinary impact it can have.
💬 "Giving an organ is a selfless act that gives someone a second chance at life."
This June, Pat will proudly represent Kilkenny, Carlow, Team Ireland and the donor who helped make his second chance possible.
Transplant Sport Ireland is the National Governing Body for Transplant Sport in Ireland, representing Irish transplant recipients, dialysis patients and living donors through sport and internationally through the World Transplant Games Federation, the European Transplant & Dialysis Sports Federation and Transplant Active.
