‘Gift of life is the true prize’
When Cork athlete Mairead O'Mahony was diagnosed with leukaemia at age 17, she thought her chances of ever representing Ireland were gone.
Fast forward 28 years and she is about to represent her nation for the third time on an international stage.
This Saturday, Mairead, who is a bone marrow transplant recipient, will join 27 other Irish athletes at the 2025 World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany.
Mairead, who won an astounding five medals at the 2023 World Transplant Games in Perth, Australia, will be competing in the 5k road race, 1500m, 800m, 400m, and shot putt this time around. She also bagged five medals at the European Games in Lisbon last year.
She’ll be trying her best to match that record at this year’s games, but she knows it won’t be easy. “The pressure is definitely on! At my first games in Perth, there was no expectation — the other athletes didn’t know me yet. Now, after having had some success both there and at the European Games in Lisbon last year, I think other athletes will know what I’m capable of. So yes, I imagine there’ll be more eyes on me this time around!” she said.
Though the World Transplant Games are very competitive, Mairead said for the athletes, just being able to take part and feel grateful is where the true victory lies. “The gift of life is the true prize at the Transplant Games.”
She continued: “For some athletes who still face health challenges, just standing on the start line feels like winning a medal.”
“That said, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t competitive! I’ve trained hard for this and will be giving it everything to bring a medal home for Team Ireland,” promised Mairead.
After Mairead was diagnosed with leukaemia in 1996, she underwent seven months of chemotherapy and was told she was at high risk of relapse and would need a bone marrow transplant. Up stepped her brother Willie.
“There are certain moments — like kit day when I receive my Irish gear, my transplant anniversary, or Willie’s birthday — that bring everything back into focus,” said Mairead.
“I always joke with the family that I deserve a second birthday for my bone marrow! But truthfully, I know how lucky I am that Willie was a perfect match.
“Despite his fear of needles, he stepped up and quite literally saved my life,” she added.
Mairead now lives a healthy and full life with her husband Tony and their daughter Isabella in Berrings, Co. Cork.
Looking ahead to the games, which run from 16-24 August and will see over 2,000 athletes from around the world compete, Mairead says the sense of shared experience and comradery is like nothing she’s ever experienced.
“Meeting athletes who were only recently post-transplant and absolutely beaming from this new lease of life — it’s so uplifting. And then there are the donor families, who made the selfless, brave decision to give the gift of life during their darkest moments,” said Mairead. “It’s both heartbreaking and heartwarming. The games have reminded me just how precious life is,” she added.