Mount Temple's Claire to compete at 25th World Transplant Games

By Rebekah O'Reilly

Mount Temple native Claire Dolan is set to compete in the golf tournament at the 25th World Transplant Games on Wednesday (August 20).

The Games are taking place in Dresden, Germany, from Sunday, August 17, to Sunday, August 24.

The golf tournament is being held next Wednesday from 8 am to 8 pm, where Claire will compete against athletes from 51 countries.

Claire was first diagnosed with complete kidney failure in September 2012 at the age of 18. In May 2014, at the age of 20, she underwent a life-saving kidney transplant after a year and a half of dialysis treatment.

“That transplant transformed my life. It gave me the freedom to embrace opportunities I once thought were out of reach,” she said.

Claire returned to football and golf while still on dialysis and went on to achieve milestones she once only dreamed of, joining Aer Lingus as cabin crew, moving to Canada with her now-husband Shane, and building a life filled with love and adventure.

“None of these moments would have been possible without my transplant,” she said.

First held in 1978 in Portsmouth, UK, the World Transplant Games have grown to become the world’s largest awareness event for the gift of life, a beacon for transplant recipients, their families, donor families, and living donors.

The Games have been hosted on the continents of North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe. This is the first time they are being held in Germany.

The seven-day program includes high-exertion and low-impact sports, along with social and cultural events. It caters to both elite and social athletes and attracts 2,500 participants from up to 60 nations.

“The Games are a celebration of resilience and the incredible gift of life,” Claire said. “They inspire me to push my limits, celebrate my health, and connect with others who share this powerful journey.

“To those waiting, hold on to hope. The road is hard, but it’s preparing you for moments you never thought possible. Stay resilient, you’ve got this.”