Leukaemia survivor Stuart Campbell had a successful return to competition last week in the Australian Transplant Games, which was held in Geelong.By Marc McGowan
DANDENONG North leukaemia survivor Stuart Campbell enjoyed a sensational return to competitive sport last week, collecting nine medals at the Australian Transplant Games in Geelong.
The haul included six gold medals – in the 5km, 1500m and four by 400m relay in athletics, 100m breaststroke, and time trial and road race in cycling – one silver medal in the 400m freeestyle, and two bronze medals in the four by 50m medley and four by 50m freestyle relays.
Campbell recorded personal bests in almost every event he competed in, but was more impressed with the friendly atmosphere.
“The competition was second to meeting people and making friends,” he said.
“Win, lose, or draw, everyone was smiling. It was great to be around.”
It has been a long road back for Campbell, who was diagnosed with leukaemia midway through 2003 and required a bone marrow transplant in December that year.
After a harrowing few years of recovery, Campbell is finally getting his life back on track, and the Transplant Games represented his triumph over the disease.
“My mum was down the whole time; my dad and uncle stopped by, and my uncle and auntie watched the cycling events,” he said. “It was just a great event.”
The Transplant Games is a biennial competition and involves transplant recipients and donors, and also a category for family and friends.
