'Woman of the Year' Lisa Woodcock from Exmouth is heading for the British Transplant Games

Lisa received The Woman of the Year Game Changer Award last year for her campaigning to raise awareness about organ donation. She will take part in the 5K donor walk, something which seemed unimaginable just a few years ago.

Lisa Woodcock from Exmouth, who underwent a life-saving transplant, is gearing up to join hundreds of fellow transplant recipients at the British Transplant Games next month. 

The 40 -year-old, who received a liver transplant two and a half years ago is heading to Nottingham with her husband, Justin, for the Games which take place from August 1 – 4. This will be the first time Lisa, who received The Woman of the Year Game Changer Award last year for her campaigning to raise awareness about organ donation, has participated in the event. She will take part in the 5K donor walk, something which seemed unimaginable just a few years ago. 

Lisa was diagnosed with autoimmune liver disease primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) when she was 37. “My mum has the same condition and thankfully is responsive to the medication which keeps PBC under control, but I am not,“ she explains. “I also had a fast-advancing variant of the disease.”  

Her deteriorating health meant that Lisa was placed on the transplant list just a year after being diagnosed with PBC and received her transplant after a short four month wait for a match. 

“My wonderful, selfless donor called Georgie had previously had a conversation with his mum where he confirmed that he had registered and that he thought organ donation was a good idea,” she continues. “Georgie was just 23 when he was tragically taken from his family. We are forever grateful for the hard decision they made that day, that saved many lives.” 

Lisa was put in contact with the British Liver Trust following her diagnosis and has stayed involved with the charity ever since: “They have been amazing for us - the support groups, the events, patient stories and the genuine care they show to all that reach out for help. I’m really looking forward to meeting the BLT team at the Transplant Games, as well as supporting my fellow transplant recipients of all ages.” 

 Pam Healy, CEO of British Liver Trust, who have provided Lisa with information and support commented: “The Transplant Games is a wonderful example of how organ donation saves and transforms lives and we’re delighted that Lisa is now well and able to compete. We’re very excited that we shall be there as a charity for the first time this year to cheer on Lisa and the many other people we have supported whose lives have been transformed by a liver transplant.” 

For more information on liver disease, please visit www.britishlivertrust.org.uk or to find out the British Transplant Games, visit http://www.britishtransplantgames.co.uk