Local siblings have celebrated success at the British Transplant Games this week. 

Milo and Wren, aged 8 and 9, competed in the annual British Transplant Games in Coventry yesterday, Thursday 27 July. 

Returning for the first time since the pandemic, the games have been taking place for 45 years this year, and saw adults and children from across the country compete to win while raising money for charity.  

Rutland's dynamic duo, Milo and Wren, made history in the children's games this week, as this was the first time that siblings have ever competed for King's Hospital.  

The pair competed to raise money for King's Hospital, where both received life-saving care. 

Wren and Milo were both born with PFIC-2, a rare genetic liver condition, and have been treated by King's College Hospital for the past 9 years. Milo received a liver transplant in 2016 aged 2, and Wren received a liver transplant in 2021 at the age of 7.

Milo explained: "I can't really remember having a transplant but I'm really good at blood tests now, I have big juicy veins.

"Everyone at the transplant games has been through similar things to us so will understand how hard it is always being sick."

Milo competed in long jump and badminton, and Wren took part in the ball throw and badminton. Both also took part in the donor run with mum, Rachel, and sister Annie – a social event to celebrate all donors that took place today. 

Milo won a silver medal and Wren made it through to the final. Image credit: Rachel Nealson.

Milo got a silver in his race. Wren performed incredibly well as one of the 6 girls who made the formal race final, coming an impressive 5th in the end.

The primary aim of the games is to raise awareness of organ donation and encourage conversation around it, as well as to raise money for associated charities and organisations. 

To fundraise, the duo have a JustGiving page and are holding a raffle to win a lucky crew stunt scooter – a prize inspired by Milo's love of scooters and skate parks. 

Wren said: "Having a transplant is really hard, it is painful afterwards and because I get ill easily I can't see my friends when they are sick and that makes me sad.

"Hopefully the transplant games will make more people tell their family they want to donate organs because when I needed a liver, I was really sick and would have died quickly if I didn't get one."

Proud mum, Rachel, added: "Milo and Wren love being active and their illnesses can disadvantage them when competing with healthy children, so it is a lovely opportunity to have a level playing field." 

The pair are being supported by proud parents and big sister! Image credit: Rachel Nealson.

The Transplant Games offer an opportunity to raise awareness of organ donation.

Around 500,000 people die every year in the UK but only around 1% in circumstances where organ donation is possible. Although the rules around organ donation have changed to an 'opt out' system, the decision still lies with next of kin, so it is really important for people to have that conversation with their family.

Rachel added: "Many people do not realise that in the UK, most childhood liver transplants are completed using one third of an adult donor liver, meaning one donor liver can often save two lives and one organ donor can save up to nine people.

"Wren and Milo have been sick all their lives. Wren was first admitted to hospital at 4 months, and Milo was diagnosed from cord bloods. No one ever prepares you for the amount the trauma of constant medical intervention has on a child.  

"Wren didn't speak at all for a long time after transplant. Watching your child fight physical pain is hard but you can be proactive and get them help swiftly, but watching them in emotional pain is much more distressing because there is no easy fix.

"By attending the games they have had the opportunity to meet other children who have been through the same things and hopefully feel comfortable to open up and share their stories." 

Milo and Wren will have the opportunity, if they choose to, to take part in future transplant games, and can join the adult games when they are older – something that will happen due to the wonderful support of King's College. 

Rachel added: "I really hope both children continue with transplant sport, there is a world transplant games for adults and I'd love for them to have travel opportunities in the future. It is often really hard to travel with complex health conditions so getting that chance surrounded by friends would be incredible." 

To donate to the cause, which has already surpassed the £800 target set by the pair, head to their JustGiving page.

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