A liver transplant saved Chris Meek’s life in 2018, six years later, he is ready to don the Big V at the Australian Transplant Games.
Across October 1-6, nearly 500 people will compete at the Australian Transplant Games in Canberra.
The games are held every two years and athletes consist of transplant recipients, living donors and donor families.
In 2018, recently retired Shepparton resident Meek was travelling around Australia in his caravan when he experienced liver failure.
Meek then spent the next few months in hospital before receiving a liver transplant that saved his life.
Following the operation Meek moved into a retirement village where his revitalised lease on life led him to fall in love with the sport of lawn bowls.
This new-found obsession has meant Meek has played regularly at his local club, Shepparton Park Bowls Club, for the past few years.
Having risen the ranks in the world of bowls, Meek is now headed to Canberra to represent Victoria at the National Transplant Games.
The games are aimed to be a week of sport and celebration, with Meek expressing how excited he is to represent his state in bowls.
“Everything I have done over the past few years has been working up to this,” Meek said.
“I can’t wait to show everyone how far I’ve come and hopefully bring home some gold for Victoria.”
Meek and his family have urged Australians to register as organ donors.
Transplant Australia chief executive Chris Thomas said more than 1800 Australians were on waiting lists for organ transplants.
Thomas hopes the games can increase awareness and registrations to help save lives.
“Every Australian can make a difference by registering as a donor,” Thomas said.
“It takes just one minute, but has the potential to give someone years of extra life.
“These games demonstrate what transplant recipients can achieve on the sporting field.
“Transplant Australia is committed to improving the lives of those waiting and those who have received a transplant and is proud to work with federal and state governments to achieve our shared vision for Australia in donation and transplantation.”
The games have been around since 1988, with a wide variety of sports — 19 in total — such as cycling, six-a-side football, chess, golf, triathlon, scrabble and athletics featuring in the week-long event.
Visit the donatelife.gov.au website to find out more about becoming an organ donor.