Team Northern Ireland have returned with an incredible 35 medals (18 Gold, 9 Silver, 8 Bronze) — finishing 11th out of 51 nations in their very first year competing as a standalone team!

The team was made up of 22 transplant recipients — including kidney, liver, heart, and stem cell recipients — along with 5 living kidney donors, competing across a wide range of sports such as swimming, cycling, archery, and track and field.

 Competing as part of Team Northern Ireland’s first-ever independent squad at the World Transplant Games was both an honour and a deeply personal milestone for double liver recipient Dr Sharon Millen.

Sharon represented NI on the world stage in the 3km racewalk and discus.  While an ongoing knee injury and catching covid meant she had to withdraw from her sprint events (200m, 400m, 800m).

“Of course, it was disappointing not to compete in the running events I had trained for, but the Games are about so much more than medals. They are about showing what’s possible after transplant, honouring our donors, and celebrating life. Being part of Team NI in our debut year was something I’ll never forget.   As we approach Organ Donation Week (22–28 September 2025), I hope my journey will encourage more people across Northern Ireland to make their wishes known and sign the NHS Organ Donor Register.  Every medal won by my teammates is a reminder of the power of organ donation and the importance of having that life-saving conversation”.