2025 marked a significant milestone for India as the largest Indian contingent of 32 transplant athletes, 24 organ recipients and 8 organ donors, participated in the World Transplant Games. The team returned home with an impressive tally of 35 medals, with the recipients bringing in 20 medals and the donors 15.
Despite their ongoing medical issues, financial constraints and other challenges, these athletes' achievements demonstrate remarkable resilience and make their loved ones and country proud.
An avid sportsman from his very early days, Balveer had a promising career in Badminton. He played at university level and was set for bigger things when his sporting career took a hit due to illness. He received a kidney transplant in 2011 which effectively ended any chance to compete at a higher level. Balveer, however, did not let this stop him from pursuing his dream. Introduced to the World Transplant Games, his dream to play for India was renewed.
Despite the rigors of the transplant procedure and a modest government salary, Balveer has participated in and excelled at every Games since 2015. He has used his own savings and whatever help he could get to cover the costs of travel and registration. He has already won three medals for India in Badminton, a gold at the WTG Argentina in 2015, a gold at the WTG Spain in 2017 & a silver medal UK in 2019.
He was unable to bring home a medal in the World Transplant Games 2023 in Perth, Australia, but is already hard at work preparing to remedy that situation at the Games in Dresden, Germany 2025.
After getting diagnosed with chronic kidney disease at a very young age, Heera Singh stayed positive. He is grateful to his younger sister that donated her organ without hesitation, to his doctor, his family & friends who supported him.
He feels healthy, lives a normal life, and wishes to spread the message across the world that life “begins rather than ends at organ transplant”. He has represented his District in Uttarakhand in Cricket and now plays a lot of sports. Heera brought home a Gold in Javelin throw at the World Transplant Games 2023 in Perth, Australia. He is now preparing for the next Games in Dresden, Germany, in 2025.
"I feel the World Transplant Games are a perfect platform to promote this cause & appeal to society and to the respective governments to offer equal opportunities to organ donors & recipients at a professional level. And more and more people come forward to donate organs without fear or any hesitation."
Ankita was 13 years old when she came to know that her mother was suffering from Liver Sclerosis. The family waited for her to turn 18 to be able to donate but at the time of transplant her weight fell short of 16 kgs. She increased it in a month to be able to donate but the transplant wasn't successful, and her mother passed away.
After 3 years of recovery, she went on to represent India at the World Transplant Games and is currently the World Record Holder for Long Jump and Ball Throw with 2 Gold and 1 Silver (100 m).
Ankita Shrivastava is now 29, and is a Wharton MBA, World Record Holder, International Athlete, Liver Donor, Entrepreneur, Tedx speaker and the youngest to enter 40 under 40 Animation, VFX, Gaming and Comics Industry in India.
Following the World Transplant Games 2023 in Perth, Australia, where Ankita took home a Gold Medal in the Long Jump (Donor Category) and Silver Medals in the 3K Racewalk and Ball Throw, her medal tally at the World Transplant Games is up to 6, with 3 Golds and 3 Silvers to her name.
As a serial Entrepreneur in the IP, media, entertainment and edTech Business, she has built eight brands (pre-school animation characters) – including Purple Turtle, recognised across 25 countries, with 350+ books, 14 Preschool Franchisees and a TV Show on Discovery Kids in MENA. She is currently working on her startup - Airfitt which is crossfits at Airports.
She is the Brand Ambassador to multiple government organisations like Sports Department, Women and Child Development, Health Department Madhya Pradesh and multiple private organisations. She is a Honorary Member of Young Indians and Indian Women Network by Confederation of Indian Industry. She has been awarded Excellence in Sports Award and National Sports Times Award 2019 amongst many others.
Karhun Nanda started playing football when he was 12 years old and ever since he has dreamt of representing India. He went through heart failure and then a transplant, which gave him a new life. For him in the past 5 years, the most amazing thing is that what he couldn't do in his last life, he can do in this life – play for his country! His heart transplant gave him an opportunity to represent India at an International level in golf and at the World Transplant Games 2019 in Newcastle.
As Team Captain at the 2023 World Transplant Games in Perth, Australia, Karhun led from the front, bringing home 2 Silver Medals in Golf Singles and Golf Teams.
He’s training hard to win a medal at the next Games and says, “I am excited to participate in the World Transplant Games 2025 at Dresden, Germany and hold India’s flag high.”
A healthy, active life, playing hockey and football for his school and under-16 cricket at the district level, came to a grinding halt for Abhinav Pangtey at the age of 28. Out of nowhere, his vision became blurry. A visit to the eye doctor revealed that he had an undiagnosed blood pressure condition. He was advised to see a nephrologist, and after several rounds of tests, found out that he had 90% damage in his kidneys.
After undergoing months of dialysis and trying out Ayurveda, Abhinav finally got a transplant from his sister in October of 2019. Having recovered from his surgery, Abhinav immediately resumed his active lifestyle, playing cricket and football on a regular basis. In 2021 married Asha, who herself had donated a kidney to her brother. He currently runs a construction business in his hometown in Uttarakhand.
Abhinav participated in the World Transplant Games 2023, in Perth, Australia and won a Silver Medal in Javelin throw and a Bronze in Badminton doubles. He is eagerly preparing for the next World Transplant Games in Dresden Germany, where he aims to compete in badminton, athletics and football! More power to him!
Born in 1960, PV Ramanaiah was a sportsman from the very beginning. He has represented India at the Jr. Asian Youth Football Championship in Nepal, and has represented Andhra Pradesh at the U-19 Football Championship. His football career continued at the university level and also represented SCRLY Secunderabad for 10 years, transferring from there to Waltair division, Vishakapathnam.
Following his liver transplant in 2017, he has continued to be extremely active, taking up tennis and participating in several local tournaments in Andhra Pradesh. He keeps exceptionally fit and has represented India at the World Transplant Games 2023 in Perth, Australia. He is excited to have the chance to once again represent India at the World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany, in both tennis and football.
Anil Srivatsa donated his Kidney to his Neurosurgeon brother, Dr Arjun Srivatsa in 2014 and has been driving around the world in his own car since his donation. To spread more awareness about not just living organ donation, but also donations after life. He, along with his wife Deepali, would have driven across 100 countries giving lectures along the way with a goal to achieve a million potential donors listening to his talks by the time they reach Germany in 2025. So far, he has reached about 3 lac people via over 1000 lectures. He is the Managing Trustee of an NGO called Gift of Life Adventure Foundation that he set up after he helped a 17-year-old Afghani boy get a transplant in Bangalore. The foundation works with projects related to Organ Donation with activities related to awareness, Advocacy and philanthropy.
Arjun (golf) and Anil, both won Gold for India in the 2019 World Transplant Games held in the UK. A first in the history of the games where a recipient and a donor who happened to be siblings, both won gold for the same country in the same games. Anil also holds the Games world record for his event – Ball throw. In 2023 Arjun won a Silver while Anil won 2 golds.
“I was thrilled at this outcome where both my kidneys won Gold for India” said Anil with a laugh. Anil is the ONLY athlete inthe wolrd who arrived at the games venue by road driving himself across 17 countries to arrive in Perth 2023. He is now Driving to the 2025 Games beginning from Bangalore. His drive will take him across 42 countries in Africa, Europe and North America.
“This year, my drive is even more significant. This will be the last of my drives to unite Rotary for Organ Donation and I also plan to retire from Team India as an athlete. I will continue to work towards a time where NO ONE DIES WAITING FOR AN ORGAN.
“We are a happy family of 4, including ourselves and our two sons Ethan and Austin. We both have donated our livers to our respective fathers and are very happy to say they are in their absolute health. It was not an effortless task to decide on giving up a small part of our organ but the whole notion of setting an example to the world, and the outcomes made it easier. On the course of our journey, we understood that life is truly precious and the little power we had to pull someone back into life should not go wasted.
We have made sure to keep fit after our transplants and are runners and cyclists. We look forward to the World Transplant Games 2025 to share the success story of our organ donations. For us, the main idea of participation is to create awareness about organ donation and to dispel myths that one can’t have a normal life after donating an organ.”
Mily and Roy took the World Transplant Games 2023 in Perth, Australia by storm, with Roy winning 3 Gold Medals in 100m, Long Jump and 5K Racewalk, and Mily winning Silver and Bronze Medals in Long Jump and Ball Throw respectively.
Vijay Bahudur Yadav’s organ donation journey began when his wife’s blood pressure led to kidney scars and eventually drastically reduced kidney function. She was on dialysis for a year and a half when it became apparent that a transplant was the only option. It was a turbulent time for the family, things happened so fast and the family struggled to manage work and health issues. Despite being willing to donate his kidney, he was not a match for his wife. Vijay then registered himself as a donor in a sharing pool scheme, through which his wife was able to get a kidney.
Post transplant, both husband and wife are fit and healthy. Though not a sportsman in his youth, Vijay began his journey in sports 8 years ago as a way to stay fit and healthy. He is an avid runner and has participated in a number of 5K/10K events and plays badminton regularly.
Vijay had a spectacular showing in the World Transplant Games 2023 in Perth, Australia, bringing home 2 Gold and 1 Silver Medal in the 5K Run, Ball Throw and Petanque respectively. Vijay was also presented with the The Greatest Gift Living Donor Award, an award which honors living donor athletes who have distinguished themselves competing in donor sports events.
Vijay is training hard to participate in the next World Transplant Games 2025. He is keen to bring home more gold for India and motivate other individuals to come forward for live donation and save lives.
Tauheed was a happy, cheerful young man in his 20s. He loved sports, particularly badminton, and would think nothing of eating out 4-5 times a week. But he noticed something wrong when he would suffer from frequent headaches. One day he woke up to swelling all over his body, and soon discovered that his creatinine levels were alarmingly high. He began dialysis once a week, which gradually reached thrice a week.
Though initially supportive, Tauheed’s family began to lose hope. He still remembers his older brother saying, ‘Why are we putting so much money when there isn’t any hope?’ His doctor suggested a transplant and in a story altogether so heartbreakingly common, his sister-in-law initially agreed to donate a kidney, but changed her mind the next day, along with his brothers. A friend even offered to bear the costs of the transplant, but no one in the family was willing. Tauheed was eventually able to get a kidney transplant in 2014, since which time he has worked hard to keep fit and active.
He started running and playing badminton again, and in a stroke of luck that he well deserved, Tauheed found a fellow transplant athlete in his town. That athlete was none other than Balveeer Singh, who has brought home no less than three medals for India at the World Transplant Games. Tauheed’s excelled in the World Transplant Games 2023 in Perth, Australia, where he, along with partner Abhinav Pangtey, won a Bronze Medal in Badminton Doubles. He is now training for the World Transplant Games 2025 in Dresden, Germany. He is hoping that his hard work will pay off and he will bring home more medals for his country.
Born with a congenital bladder disorder, Souvik had a difficult childhood. Near constant pain in his kidneys and doctor and hospital visits were a regular part of his life. While Souvik struggled with his disease, his family struggled with the escalating cost of treatment. After a failed surgery at the age of 9 and a partially successful one at the age of 15, Souvik’s condition stabilized, but his surgeon warned him it was a temporary reprieve, and he would inevitably need a transplant.
After 15 years, at the age of 28, the doctor’s prediction came true and a transplant was the only option he was left with. His parents wanted to donate their kidneys, but due to their own medical issues, doctors ruled them out as possible donors. Luckily, just as it seemed there was no hope left, his maternal uncle volunteered to donate his kidney. By the time the transplant happened, he was on dialysis for 9 months.
7 years later, Souvik leads a healthy and active life. He credits his family for keeping him alive. “My family is the reason why I am still alive. Keeping me alive was their first priority above anything. They always stood with me on this journey and still are.”
After his transplant, he never thought he would be able to lead a good life, not the way a “normal” person would live. Then he heard about the World Transplant Games and was inspired by the lives of the athletes who are fighting and thriving after their transplant. He now wants to be the same inspiration for others, to show the world that there is a life after transplant. Having played Darts and 10-Pin Bowling regularly throughout his life, Souvik’s performance in the 2023 World Transplant Games was nothing short of stellar, with 2 Gold Medals and 1 Silver Medal in 10-Pin Bowling, Darts Singles and Darts Triple Mixed respectively, winning India’s first medals in these sports. Souvik aims to participate in the World Transplant Games 2025 and win more medals for India.
Rahul was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCMP) at the age of just 19. DCMP causes the chambers of the heart to thin and stretch, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood effectively. His condition was managed till 2017, when Rahul suffered a paralytic attack. His doctors told the family there was no other option besides a transplant. In shock and frightened, Rahul’s family nonetheless stood by him and waited for a viable organ.
Rahul was fortunate enough to receive the transplant in 2018 at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. Rahul now leads a fit and active life. Over the past few months, Rahul has been working on his fitness and has been training hard to participate in the World Transplant Games. For Rahul, his transplant and the sacrifice of the donor’s family is something that he must honor by living to the fullest. Rahul’s dream to represent India at the World Transplant Games came true in 2023 at the Games in Perth, Australia, where he exceeded expectations by bringing home a Bronze Medal in Discus Throw, making his donor and his country proud.
I am a second kidney transplant recipient, working as a CSR consultant. I got diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) approximately 15 years back. Though my journey had its share of ups and downs, with the help of available treatment options, doctors, and almighty’s grace, I have been able to live a wholesome life. I remind myself every day of the importance of an active lifestyle for the life of a long-lasting kidney transplant. My journey has also taught me that, one needs a lot of support from family, peers and community to get through CKD. World transplant games will be an opportunity for me to meet inspirational transplant recipients from all over the world who believe in creating such a community and spreading awareness about CKD.
Merlyn participated in the World Transplant Games 2023 in Perth, Australia, bringing home a Bronze Medal in shot put.
Maggie Paul(Donor)I am a kidney donor, working as a PhD scholar at the University of Adelaide, Australia. Donating a kidney was an enlightening process in many ways. Among other personal revelations, through this process, I understood the lack of awareness about chronic kidney diseases and the donation process. I wish to contribute my abilities and experience to raise awareness for the same. I have also, for a long time concentrated on having a healthy lifestyle that includes different forms of exercise, good eating habits and mindfulness. World transplant games will give me encouragement to keep supporting the CKD community in every way I can.
Maggi also participated in the World Transplant Games 2023.
My name is Karan Gaur and I belong to Bikaner city. I am 25 year old. In 2009 when I was just 11 years old, my kidneys suddenly got damaged. We went to many hospitals, but at that time there were very few hospitals doing the transplant in our country. Finally we went to AIIMS Delhi. The doctors did all tests for my father and mother so that one of them could be a match and donate 1 kidney to me. My mother was a match. I was transplanted in 2009.
After the transplant we both are perfectly fit and I can countinue my sports. After transplant I participated several times in National Transplant Games in Mumbai organised by Narmada Kidney Foundation, and at the World Transplant Games 2023, where I won a Bronze Medal in the 5K Racewalk.
Harsh Vardhan Singh was born with an unusual condition, he only had one kidney at birth. When the kidney he had began to fail, the only option available to him was a transplant. His mother donated her kidney and after initial problems with rejection, Harsh was back on his way to living a healthy life. Being an athlete in school, playing tennis and handball at the state level, coming back to sports following the transplant seemed like a natural progression.
Harsh credits his family, his mother and his wife in particular, for helping keep him alive. He participated in the World Transplant Games to share with the world that if you have your family standing by you, anything is possible, and organ failure doesn’t have to be the end of one’s life.
Harsh participated in the World Transplant Games 2023, representing India in Petanque and Darts, where he won a Silver Medal in the Darts Triple Mixed. Since then, Harsh has participated in several Petanque tournaments around the world and has brought back several medals. He is looking forward to the World Transplant Games 2025 in Dresden, Germany, where he hopes to bring back more medals.
Dr. Arjun Srivatsa, a neurosurgeon by profession was diagnosed with chronic renal failure. In 2014, his brother Anil volunteered to donate one of his kidneys to him. The duo had a successful organ donation and transplantation process.
As avid sportsmen, both of them decided to participate in the World Transplant Games 2019 and went on to win gold medals for the country, with Anil setting a world record in his event - Ball Throw. The brothers followed up this feat by winning three more medals between them at the World Transplant Games 2023, with Arju bringing home a Silver in Golf Pairs.
Needless to say, India is expecting another couple of medals from the brothers at the 2025World Transplant Games in Dresden!
Digvijay Singh Gujral is a fitness enthusiast, entrepreneur, and social worker. A business postgraduate from S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research, he is a Director at Gujral Hotels Pvt Ltd, contributing to its success under his father, Er. Sri M.S. Gujral.
Born and raised in Jabalpur, Digvijay was diagnosed with a non-functioning right kidney at age 1 and underwent a kidney transplant in 2011 after months of dialysis. This life-changing experience fueled his passion for fitness and a healthy lifestyle, inspiring him to motivate others.
A decorated athlete, he has won 19 Gold and 5 Silver medals at India’s National Transplant Games, a Silver in squash at the 2019 World Transplant Games in Newcastle, UK, and a Bronze in squash at the 2023 Games in Perth, Australia. He also secured 2 Gold, 2 Silver, and 2 Bronze medals at the 2024 Australian National Transplant Games, where he was honored with the prestigious Daryl & Jan Wall International Award for Best International Athlete.
Currently training for the World Transplant Games 2025 in Dresden, Germany, Digvijay dedicates five hours daily to sports practice and rigorous workouts, never missing a day of training. He will compete in squash, tennis, table tennis, tennis doubles, and athletics, determined to make his country proud.
His philosophy: "Everybody has the same 24 hours—what we do with them defines our greatness, and impossible is nothing if we believe in ourselves."
Dharmendra Soti was an otherwise healthy young man when in 2001, his kidneys began to fail due to undiagnosed high blood pressure. The realisation shocked his entire family, and as he began dialysis, Dharmendra began to realise how much his life was going to change. A lifelong badminton player, he was looking at the very real possibility of never setting foot on a badminton court again. When the time finally came, his brother volunteered to donate his kidney to Dharmendra.
The transplant resolved his health situation, but like many people, Dharmendra assumed sports was out of the question for a transplant patient. He would go to the badminton court, watch people play, and come back home despondent. During a follow-up appointment with his doctor, he asked his doctor if he could play again. To his surprise the doctor not only approved of the request, but actively encouraged him to take up the sport again. After that, there was no looking back. Dharmendra threw himself into the game and has participated in three editions of the World Transplant Games, bringing home a silver medal in 2013, a gold and silver in 2015 and a bronze in 2017.
Before he could participate in the 2019 Games, fate intervened once more. It was discovered that yet again, his kidney was failing. This time, however, Dharmendra did not lose hope. He was fortunate enough to undergo another kidney transplant and is now very much back in action. His return to the World Transplant Games in 2023 saw him roaring back into form. In a nail-biting final, Dharmendra defeated his Thai opponent to bring home yet another Gold Medal for India.
A former professional cricketer, life was good for Sumeer in the early 2000s. He was a rising star in Cricket, with a goal to play for the country. However, an incident of extreme dehydration led to an Acute Kidney Injury. Fortunately, due to timely intervention, he was able to recover, and played for almost 4 years when unfortunate circumstances cut short his cricketing career. He moved away from cricket, into learning the science of Sport And Exercise, and became a sought-after wellness consultant.
Twelve years later, a severe bout of bronchitis and chest infection while on a high-altitude training program caused both his kidneys to shut down. He was advised dialysis and after waiting for three years, he received a kidney from a Cadaver Donor. This kidney also failed three years later, pushing him back to dialysis.
While he was in the documentation process for his 2nd Transplant, he was rushed for an emergency surgery due to an aortic dissection. March 2019 began with a series of hospital stays with a count of eight critical surgeries till September 2019, when he was fit enough to undergo his 2nd transplant with a close family friend as a kidney donor.
To feel the thrill of life after a transplant, within 3 months he got back to his physical fitness training to participate in a 10km run. He was overjoyed to have reached the finish line and as a result he is now in the Asian Book of Records and Indian Book of Records for being the only 2-time kidney transplant recipient who ran a 10k run within 100 days of his transplant! But fate wasn’t finished with Sumeer, and in 2020 he had a repeat aortic dissection as well as cataract surgeries in both his eyes.
Through all of this, Sumeer has not given up his dream to play for his country. Having competed in the World Transplant Games 2023 in Perth, Australia, he is currently training to participate in the upcoming 2025 World Transplant Games, in Dresden. He firmly believes that even with multiple serious health conditions, life can be lived with full gusto.
Raghavenra Nagaraj was diagnosed with Liver Cirrhosis in March 2010 and informed by the doctors that he would need a liver transplant in about 3 years’ time. Things were going fine until June 2014, when he developed appendicitis and needed surgery. The surgery got complicated, and his liver took a beating. His doctor opined that his liver was still good and if managed well, he could postpone my transplant for the next 7 to 10 years, but while his treatment was going on, he got an infection and developed swelling in his feet. The time for the transplant had come sooner than had been anticipated.
Since there was no donor in his family, he had to register himself with the Government of Tamil Nadu and waited for almost 10 months, during which time, he developed several complications and was in and out of hospital. On 10th October 2017, he was admitted to the hospital with very low blood pressure and a swollen abdomen. That same afternoon the transplant Coordinator visited him and told him that there was an organ available. On 12th October 2017, he received his kidney, and his new lease on life.
Today, at the age of 59, Raghavendra is keeping fit and in good health, participating in athletic sports such as road racing, 10K walk and 5 K walk and run. An active cricket player at the school level, he eagerly took his doctor’s advice to participate in the World Transplant Games in Newcastle in 2019 and Perth in 2023.
There are some people in this world who truly embody the spirit of selflessness and sacrifice. Meet Mrs. Deepa P S, a mother who has shown an incredible act of love and kindness by donating her kidney to her son Varun. She made this decision without hesitation, despite knowing the risks and challenges that come with such a procedure. Her son had been suffering from a severe kidney condition for some time, and his health had been deteriorating rapidly. The family had exhausted all other options, and a kidney transplant was their last hope to help him lead a normal life. Deepa knew that this was her chance to save her son's life and did not think twice about donating her kidney.
The transplant surgery was a success, and her son's health began to improve, but for Mrs. Deepa P S, the journey did not end there. She had to undergo months of recovery. However, she never complained and kept her spirits high, always focusing on the positive outcome that her sacrifice had brought about. She is doing perfectly fine now due to her will power and also because of her hard work and incredible act of love, Deepa represented India in the World Transplant Games 2023 in the organ donor category, winning a Bronze Medal in Ball Throw.
For her, this was not just an opportunity to showcase her skills and athleticism; it was a chance to inspire others to become organ donors and save lives. She hopes to spread the message that organ donation is not just a medical procedure but a life-saving act of kindness that has the power to change the world. As we watch Mrs. Deepa P S compete in the upcoming World Transplant Games 2025 in Dresden, Germany, let us remember the incredible sacrifice she made for her son and the countless other donors who have saved lives through their selflessness. May we be inspired by her courage and dedication to the cause of organ donation and be motivated to make a positive difference in the world.
Meet Varun Anand, a young 13-year-old from Bangalore who was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease when he was just 9. His parents had to watch their little one undergo very painful treatments, dialysis and innumerable hospital stays. It soon reached a point where a kidney transplant was imminent. Then Varun's mother, Deepa donated one of her kidneys to her son to give him a new lease of life. Post-transplant also he had multiple struggles including NODAT (New Onset Diabetes After Transplant) and several rejection episodes to name a few. But as time passed, with very good medical treatment, his positive attitude and prayers, Varun's health improved, diabetes reversed, and he can lead a relatively normal life. He was very grateful to his mother for her selfless act and to his doctor Dr Saumil Gaur (at Rainbow Children's Hospital, Marathahalli, Bangalore) for all his vast knowledge, kindness, and care.
As Varun grew up, he discovered a love for racquet sports. He finds these games (Table Tennis, Badminton, Tennis etc.) challenging and exhilarating, so works hard to excel in these sports and to keep himself fit. His hard work and dedication paid off and Varun's greatest achievement was winning 3 Gold Medals at the World Transplant Games, 2023. More than the pride of winning the medals, Varun was thrilled to be able to participate and compete on a world stage with others who had undergone the same challenges he had. He was very determined to make his mother and his country proud and wants gave his all in every match.
He is an 8th standard student of BVM Global School, Bangalore. Varun's journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks, he never gave up. He worked hard and persevered, and he was able to achieve his dreams of representing India and excelling in the games he loves. Varun's story is also a reminder of the importance of organ donation. Organ transplants can save and transform lives, and they give recipients like Varun the chance to live full and meaningful lives. Varun's mother is his superhero, and he is grateful to her every day for giving him the gift of life and to his dad and younger brother Vaibhav for all the support they provide. By becoming an organ donor, each of us can give the gift of life to someone in need, just like Varun's mother did for him.
"Hi, My name is Amit Prasada who had his liver transplant in September 2020, prior to that I had worked in IT & BPM space for 24 years in various geographies across the globe . In my last assignment in Barcelona ,. I received a new Liver from my Close friend in Delhi in September 2020,post transplant my life has been only better and healthier. One of my reason reason to participate in the WTG is to bring a closure to my semi retired life and to create awareness to organ donation. I started playing golf in March 2021."
-Amit Prasad
Amit Prasada worked in the IT & BPM space for 24 years in various geographies across the globe. Following an illness in 2020, Amit began his transplant in September 2020. He received a new liver from a close friend, following which his life has been better and healthier. He began playing golf in March 2021 and competed at the World Transplant Games 2023 in Perth, Australia, bringing an end to his semi-retirement and creating awareness about organ donation.
Mr. Dinoy Thomas was hospitalised with significant heart failure in 2013 after being diagnosed of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. He was treated at the Lisie Heart Institute, Kochi, Kerala.
While his illness was not being controlled by drugs, a heart transplant was suggested to him. Later, in 2013, he got a successful heart transplant. He gradually got better and returned to his normal life.
He joined Nippon Toyota, one of Kerala's biggest car dealerships, in 2015. He drives automobiles across Kerala to consumers for the company as a delivery driver. Dinoy is committed to being fit and strictly adheres to his exercise routine. He took part in the 5K race, which was held in association with Spice Coast Marathon in December 2022.He took part in the event as one of the 200 or so volunteers of the Heart Care Foundation who were there to promote organ donation. He was acknowledged during the event by none other than Mr. Sachin Tendulkar, the cricketing god.
Dinoy participated in the World Transplant Games 2023 in Perth, Australia, supported by Heart Care Foundation and Nippon Toyota Group. His family comprises of a younger son, an older daughter, and his wife, a homemaker. He is a resident of Kochi, Kerala.
Amit Sharma’s high blood pressure led his kidneys to fail. For two years, he was on dialysis, a time he does not remember fondly. Faced with constant issues like cramps, vomiting and fatigue, Amit began to suffer from depression. To make matters worse, because of his condition, he could only drink one litre of water in a day, leaving him constantly parched. Finally, there was no option left for Amit, but to get a transplant, and his elder sister volunteered to donate her kidney.
Seven years have passed since his transplant, and Amit’s life is vastly different. Despite his family’s concerns that he would be unable to get married because of his condition, he was very fortunate to have met and married the love of his life. To add to the family’s happiness, his sister, who had donated her kidney, was also blessed with a child, proving that both recipients and donors can lead full lives after transplant.
Amit, along with fellow transplant athletes from his hometown of Jaipur, have taken up the French sport of Petanque, winning numerous medals at the World Transplant Games 2023 in Perth Australia, as well as during several competitions in Thailand. Amit fully committed to representing Team India at the World Transplant Games 2025 in Dresden, Germany.
Hitesh Sharma began his long, arduous journey with Kidney Disease at 14 years of age. He was told it was a rare auto- immune disease called Systemic Lupus Disorder (SLE). Getting to school and indulging in daily activities had been such a difficult task! With prolonged lifesaving medication and routine follow-ups, he managed a healthy life just like other children of his age till the age of 20. However, life had other surprises waiting for him! SLE had started affecting his kidney and he was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease. From 2017, his health deteriorated and soon he began undergoing dialysis thrice a week. Life became horrible and painful on a dialysis machine. Seeing Hitesh's agony his father donated his kidney to Hitesh.
Hitesh's life experiences taught him many lessons. He was grateful to his mother who gave him his first life, and the second life which was gifted by his proud donor father. He strongly encourages people to stay fit and take care of themselves. along with fellow transplant athletes from his hometown of Jaipur, have taken up the French sport of Petanque, winning numerous medals at the World Transplant Games 2023 in Perth Australia, as well as during several competitions in Thailand. His participation in the World Transplant Games is to encourage more people to pledge their organs so more lives can be saved.
Bhawani Singh had a kidney transplant 19 years ago, when I was only 19 years old. During the first year after his transplant, he was given strict precautions, but gradually routine life started. He finished his studies and currently works with the Rajasthan government. Bhawani is also married with 2 children. He started sports slowly, with less taxing sports like darts and shooting, but later took up Lawn Bowls and Badminton, receiving Silver Medal in 2018 National Transplant Games Mumbai.
In preparation for the World Transplant Games, Bhawani trained in Lawn Bowls from RK Anand Lawn Bowls Club in Ranchi, supported by Chandan Kumar Singh, who brought a silver medal for India in the Commonwealth Games and under the supervision of India's National Lawn Ball Coach Roshan ji. The training paid off, in the form of a Bronze Medal in Lawn Bowls at the World Transplant Games 2023 in Perth, Australia. Bhawani has also participated and won several medals in numerous Lawn Bowls and Petanque tournaments in Thailand in the past year. He is now preparing to represent India once again in the World Transplant Games 2025 in Dresden, Germany.
Parag Kamal Sharma aged 48 years was diagnosed with CKD in 2011, subsequently diagnosed with renal failure in 2018. When transplant became to only viable option, his family supported him in the toughest time of his life and all eligible adults including his brothers, his wife and mother aged 62 were willing to donate their kidneys. His mother was the most viable option and he got his kidney transplant on 26 th March 2019.
A good sportsman in his youth, he re-started his journey in sports after he came to know about the World Transplant Games through social media. He is practicing, regularly and giving his best to participate in the World Transplant Games, despite his busy schedule at his workplace, the Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi where he is working as Programmer and looking after the IT Department.
Following his son, Varun’s transplant, Anand's commitment to organ donation has led him to participate in the World Transplant Games in the Donor Family category in 5 KM Race Walk event. His participation is a way of promoting organ donation and raising awareness about the importance of this life-saving act.
Anand hopes that this efforts will help to inspire other families to consider organ donation and to see the positive impact it can have on someone's life. He also wants to tell the world that family bond plays a crucial role in the recovery process post-transplant. The support, care, and encouragement of family members can help the patient through the difficult stages of recovery and contribute to their overall health and well-being.