A kidney transplant patient hopes to represent Great Britain in the world Transplant Games after impressing coaches with his talent on the track.
Edwin Yamoah, 26, from Colindale, took home silver medals in the 100m and 200m races at the British Transplant Games in Kent.
Mr Yamoah represented Royal Free hospital where he underwent treatment after being diagnosed with autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus in 2006.
Two years later the disease led to kidney failure and Mr Yamoah underwent dialysis before having a live donor kidney transplant in April last year. The kidney was donated by his sister 24-year-old sister, Antonella.
Mr Yamoah, who works for Santander, said: “When I was younger I was really into football and I did a bit of athletics too. But then when I was on dialysis, it changed my lifestyle.
“It made me quite tired but I kept on playing football with my friends and carried on working full time.
“After having the transplant I felt different straight away – I felt able to do much more – and when I found out about the Transplant Games I was keen to get back into sport and get fit again.”
He began running on his own four months after his operation and did some training sessions with Barnet and Shaftesbury Harriers from July this year.
Cheered on by his brother Aaron, 20, Mr Yamoah went on to win two medals for Royal Free.
He said: “It was a chance for me to thank the hospital for doing so much for me, as well as a chance for me to show people who have transplants that they can recover and take part in events like this.
“I’m really pleased I got two medals for Royal Free and I hope I will get the opportunity to get some more at the world games.”
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