10-year-old resident competes in World Transplant Games, beats world record

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - Every two years, the Summer World Transplant Games are held where more than 1500 athletes from 69 different countries come together with one thing in common: they are all transplant recipients. Participants of the games attend in order to meet other transplant recipients while also having the opportunity to compete in sporting events they excel in. The hope is that the World Transplant Games will provide an outlet for transplant athletes, while also raising awareness of the importance of organ donation.

This past summer, the 2015 World Transplant Games were held in Mar del Plata, Argentina. From badminton, squash, and tennis, to bowling, track & field, and cycling, transplant athletes got to show off their talents, including a local 10-year-old resident, Kian Shah-Ackroyd.

Kian is a resident of The Woodlands where he resides with his parents, David Ackroyd and Nishma Shah, and younger sister, Sami. Just like any other kid, Kian is full of life, loves playing with his friends, and cares greatly for others. However, when he was just a baby, doctors weren't even sure if he would live to see his first birthday. On March 28, 2005, Kian was born in The United Kingdom, and just a few weeks later, he was diagnosed with Childhood Liver Disease. At only five weeks of age, he underwent his first operation, but the procedure failed, so Kian was put on the transplant list when he was just six months old. The doctor warned his parents that if Kian didn’t receive a liver transplant by the time he was one, the chances of him surviving were very unlikely.

“It was the worst time in my life,” said Nishma Shah, Kian’s mother.

Thankfully, in January 2006, just a few months before his first birthday, Kian received a successful liver transplant.

“We were ecstatic that he was able to get a liver, but at the same time, while we were at the hospital, three other children died because they were on the waiting list,” said Shah. “It is hard to celebrate when you see that.”

Now, ten years later, Kian and his family are doing all they can to help raise awareness for Childhood Liver Disease and organ donation. Organ donation saved Kian’s life, and now he and his family want to help save others.

“Without organ donation, many people, including children, die waiting on the list. With limited organs, it is important to educate people on how organ donation works and that they could potentially save someone,” said Shah.

In late August, while most kids were getting ready to go back to school, Kian traveled to Argentina to compete in the 20th Annual World Transplant Games where he participated in swimming, running, and track & field events. Since Kian cannot engage in contact sports, the Games allowed him to be a part of something while interacting with other children just like him.

“There is this connection that transplanted kids share,” said Shah. “This was the first time he [Kian] was surrounded by many people who didn't speak English, but this 'common' bond helped them gel. They were all so compassionate and caring to one another.”

Although he has been involved in the USA and Great Britain Transplant Games in the past, this was Kian’s first appearance in the Summer World Transplant Games, but it didn't phase him at all. Kian took home three gold medals in swimming, a silver medal for the 50m sprint, and clenched another gold medal for the long jump while also beating the world record in his age goup!

“He was ecstatic,” said Shah. “He rang me straight away as I was not in Argentina and he said, ‘I jumped 11 feet and I beat the record!’ He was overjoyed! I cried!”

Kian is living proof that organ donation saves lives, and now the Shah-Ackroyd family are working to only increase awareness for the cause.

“It helps turn sorrow into hope and terrible loss into the greatest gift ever,” said Shah.

Although four years away, it is rumored that the 2019 Summer World Transplant Games might be held right here in Houston. For more information about organ donation and to learn about the World Transplant Games, visit the website provided below.

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