Sporting Simon sets sights on World Transplant Games

After overcoming blood cancer, Simon Perkin was able to once again join over 800 sporting competitors who have had their lives saved by blood and organ donations.

Representing the Anthony Nolan Trust in five categories on the sporting stage, Simon competed in golf, 50-metre butterfly, the 5k, 1500m and 100m.

After taking four gold and one silver medal at the Liverpool games, he has come a long way since being diagnosed with the blood disease.

Simon, who now runs his own fitness and nutrition business in Warwick, was diagnosed at the age of 26 in 1991 following a routine appointment to give blood.

After chemotherapy, two bone marrow transplants and months in hospital he was told he would need medication for the rest of his life.

But thanks to determination and months of recovery, the 51-year-old businessman turned his life around with healthy eating and exercise and now has his sights set on the world games.

“To come away with five medals was incredible,” he said. “It was an amazing thing to be part of and a real celebration of what you can achieve and overcome. It took a long time to get to this point but I believe that health and nutrition is the key to a healthy life.

“I am so thankful of the people who supported me, I have been very lucky and the games was such a wonderful place to see that and celebrate all these amazing people.”

And after such an impressive performance on the day, Simon now hopes to represent his country at the World Transplant Games in Malaga next year - with just weeks to wait to hear if he has been selected.

Simon hopes his achievements will help raise awareness of the urgent need for blood and organ donors across the UK - an act which saved his life all those years ago.

Three people from the donor waiting list die every day because a match can not be found.

Visit www.anthonynolan.org to find out more.