Transplant athlete off to Sweden

Fourteen-year-old Cook Islander Matthew Mokoroa has never let the fact that he has had a liver transplant stop him from doing the things he enjoys.

At the top of his list of loves is sports – in particular running and rugby league.

The young man, who along with his mother Annie Heather, had to move to New Zealand for the life saving liver transplant, has made a full recovery and is now gearing up to win more medals at the World Transplant Games in Sweden in June.

The World Transplant Games is a sporting event for transplant athletes that demonstrate the physical success of transplant surgery and to raise awareness of the need to increase organ donation.

In 2009, three years after surgery, Mokoroa was invited to attend the transplant games held in Australia where he went on to win one gold and two silver medals on the track.

“I have always enjoyed athletics, particularly running,” says Mokoroa.

“I started running in races at preschool. I have never let my transplant stop me from doing the things I enjoy and have always dreamt of competing in an event like these games and winning a gold medal.”

Mokoroa says that being at the world transplant games has allowed him to meet some of his personal development goals.

“I was able to show others that I can still do things that other kids can do. It was a wonderful experience.”

Mokoroa returned home for Christmas to visit his family and while on the island – the youngster managed to pull on an Arorangi Bears rugby league jersey and play the first game of the league season for his club.

Mokoroa has been training hard and fundraising to attend the transplant games with his mum in Gotenborg, Sweden, between June 17 and 24.

The motivated youngster has started up an online fundraising page for people to make donations and help him realise his dream of attending the transplant games to win more medals for his family, country and surgeons, who Mokoroa is grateful to for giving him a second chance at life.

To make a donation and help Mokoroa – go to www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/matthewmokoroa13.