www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, August 25, 2016 | 6 Spotlight Biennial Transplant Games celebrate a second chance at life continued from p.1 pital and put on life support. He was barely able to walk, move or breathe at the time and was 120 pounds. Health returned Today, Childerhose is proud to say his health has returned back to where he was six years ago, before his health had deteriorated. "I can run, walk, skate, bike, play games, play soccer, whatever I want now," he described. "It's pretty amazing that I'm able to do all those things from a medical surgery that wasn't even done 30 years ago." It was Childerhose's second time participating in the Games, which takes place every two years. It's purpose is to not only showcase organ transplant recipients who can enjoy competition and camaraderie while celebrating a second chance at life, but to also increase organ and tissue donation in Canada and beyond. It is also meant to demonstrate the active and healthy lifestyle that may be achieved following transplantation; promote the success of organ donation and transplantation; offer hope to the thousands of Canadians on transplant wait lists; and provide an opportunity to thank donors and donor families for their precious gift of life. In 2014, Childerhose travelled to Moncton, N.B. to participate in events and came home with three bronze medals in golf, table tennis and the 200-metre dash. The Games, he said, is a chance to meet other people who have gone through the same or similar experiences -- the good, the bad and the ugly. "It's quite encouraging," he explained, noting how inspiring it was to see transplant recipients excel at sports. "It tells you, you can do more than you think you can," said Childerhose, who will be on pills that range from anti-rejection to antibiotics for the rest of his life. He says he's thankful for each and every day and cherishes the simple things that many people often take for granted. "After (a) transplant, when you go through that near death experience, you appreciate each breath you take a lot more than before, you appreciate that you can walk," he said. Childerhose also actively encourages others to consider becoming a donor. "Connected to your Community" I can run, walk, skate, bike, play games, play soccer, whatever I want now. It's pretty amazing that I'm able to do all those things from a medical surgery that wasn't even done 30 years ago.... After (a) transplant, when you go through that near death experience, you appreciate each breath you take a lot more than before, you appreciate that you can walk. Canadian Transplant Games participant and Oakville resident Keith Childerhose He notes even if you're a smoker, you can donate organs. If people are worried about being too old, Childerhose adds he has 83-year-old lungs in him now that are working great. "You'd be amazed at how many lives you can save with organs you don't need anymore," he said. According to beadonor.ca, there's a chronic shortage of organs and tissue available for transplantation, and the need for organs and tissue in Ontario continues to outweigh their availability. "At present, over 1,600 Ontarians are waiting to receive life-saving organ transplants, and thousands await life-enhancing tissue transplants," the website states. "Every three days, one of them dies while waiting for an organ transplant. One donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and enhance as many as 75 through the gift of tissue donation." To learn more about the process, visit beadonor. ca. Eamon O'Brien earns four gold medals Meanwhile, 11-year-old Eamon O'Brien, who also participated in the Games, came home with four gold medals in the 25-metre swim, 50-metre dash, long jump and 1K road race. He placed third and earned a bronze medal in the 5K cycling race. The Oakville boy, who was born with two small kidneys that never fully developed and weren't able to support his body weight, had a lifesaving kidney transplant 10 years ago. -- with les from John Bkila At top, Oakville resident Keith Childerhose crosses the nish line for the 100-metre dash with a time of 15.67 seconds at the Canadian Transplant Games, which were held Aug. 8-13 in Toronto. In middle, left, Childerhose, who had a successful double-lung transplant more than three years ago, sports a gold medal he earned in bowling. In total, he came home with three gold and two bronze medals. In middle, right, Eamon O'Brien, 11, shows off his gold medal in long jump (seen above). Eamon had a lifesaving kidney transplant 10 years ago. At the Games, he won four gold medals and a bronze medal. | submitted photos OPC Volume 54 | Number 68 Ontario Press Council Defending principles to inspire public trust 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington (905) 845-3824 Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone (416) 340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline. Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. 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