Two of the Golden Jubilee’s heart transplant recipients have won Gold and Silver medals as part of Team Great Britain at the World Transplant Winter Games in Anzere, Switzerland.

Linda Owen (36) from Middlebie, Dumfries and Galloway and Sue Swinson (65) from Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire were part of a team that won the Gold medal for curling. Sue also brought home individual silver medals for skiing in the Super G (Super Giant Slalom), Slalom and Parallel Slalom categories.

Team GB competitors have all had either heart, lungs, kidney, pancreas, bone marrow or liver transplants.  Out of the 25 teams competing from around the world, Team GB was the largest with 14 competitors, three of these were living donors who competed in the donor ski race.

Linda Owen, who had her heart transplant operation just three years ago, said: “It was an amazing experience to meet and compete against people who have had transplants from all over the world.

“The Winter Transplant Games provides a wonderful opportunity for transplant athletes to enjoy a new lease of life and demonstrate the benefits of organ donation by competing in a range of alpine sports and curling.”

Sue Swinson had her life saving operation at Golden Jubilee in 2011. She added: “I really enjoyed the inclusiveness and vibrancy of the transplant community. As this was my second Games, it was lovely to catch up with previous competitors and make many new friends too.

“My personal challenge for these Games was to compete in the Super Giant Slalom. It was really daunting - steep, tight and a long way to the bottom! I couldn’t have attempted this at the last Games and it’s a credit to everyone who has supported me that I managed it this time.”

June Rogers, Director of Operations at the Golden Jubilee, commented: “We are absolutely delighted that two of our heart transplant patients, not only managed to make it to the Games, but were so successful in winning gold and silver medals.

“Our goal at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital is to ensure that every patient we treat receives the highest possible standard of care, and is able to enjoy a full and active life. Both Linda and Sue are living proof that there is no limit to what you can accomplish after transplantation if you set your mind to it.”

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