The 25th World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany are less than three weeks away . This year, Canada has its largest team ever with a total of 53 athletes participating in a wide range of sports, accompanied by 33 supporters Angela Burghard and her son Tim Huguet will be attending their second World Transplant Games, after a great experience in Perth, Australia in 2023. They are excited for the opportunity to connect with their family in Germany, who will be cheering them on, and join other transplant recipients, donor families, living donors and supporters of organ donation and transplantation.

Learn more about Angela and Tim’s journey, from Angela receiving her first kidney from her dad and her second kidney from her son. Angela says she is blessed with an abundance of love and care from her family. 

I had my first kidney transplant in 1982 at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. I was 33 years old, married with two little kids, ages four and nine at the time. I had an autoimmune disease called glomerulonephritis, which caused my kidneys to fail. I needed to go on dialysis, followed by a transplant on May 12, 1982. This first kidney was donated by my dad (pictured below), who travelled to Edmonton from Germany to be my living donor. My dad was 60 years old at that time.

 In 1985, we moved to Vancouver. My dad's kidney worked amazingly well for me for 27 years until 2019.  I developed renal failure again and needed to go on dialysis again. My family and I were hoping that I might be eligible for another kidney transplant. I was 70 years old at the time.

Tim decided he would be a good choice to be my donor because he was in good health and wanted to step into the footsteps of his German grandpa, Opa, who gave me the first kidney. Every time someone asks him why he wanted to give me one of his kidneys, he will say, “It was a no-brainer. Why wouldn't you want to offer one of your kidneys to your mom?!”

Tim had to do several interviews with the VGH Living Donor Program,  including nurses, doctors, etc. They spoke with him to make sure he understood the process, the risks and the responsibilities involved. They also assured him that at any time he felt unsure, he could change his mind. Then came several tests, which included bloodwork to make sure that his kidney was compatible with mine, and a CT scan of his kidney. This process took several months.  All the tests went well, and he was approved to be a donor for me. The transplant surgery took place on November 16, 2020 at VGH.

Luckily everything went smoothly during the surgery, and we were recovering very well post-surgery too. Within a few weeks, we got back on our feet again! We both felt great, and the healing continued at its own pace.

Tim was able to begin working again, and I resumed some of my activities and hobbies at home, having retired from my job in 2016. 

Within a month post-surgery Tim started his usual activities again including working, daily bike rides, movies and going out with friends. My recovery was a little slower perhaps and included daily walks, bowling, going to the community centre for movement classes, coffee dates with friends, etc. Together we drive out to Surrey for get-togethers with my daughter, her husband and their family, which includes my four granddaughters (ages 16 - 28) plus two great-grandkids.

We both have a natural inclination to be active, to move, to enjoy the company of others, to keep the body in good health as well as mind and spirit.  

We are super excited to attend the World Transplant Games! I was born in Germany and have been hoping for the Games to take place in Germany for a long time! I have a brother and four sisters, as well as many nephews and nieces who live in Germany. We are looking forward to seeing them, and I am excited that three of my sisters will travel to Dresden with us, from their hometown near Munich to have a chance to experience the magical atmosphere, competition and camaraderie of the Games.

Both Tim and I are looking forward to uniting with transplant recipients, other living donors, donor family members and supporters from all over the world again. Tim and I attended the WTG in Perth in 2023. We look forward to meeting and seeing members of our donation and transplant community from other parts of Canada, as well as rekindling acquaintances and friendships we made in the previous Games. It is very inspiring to see the spirit of competition in these transplant athletes, and the gratitude we all feel for our lives and the gratitude we feel towards our donors. It is our common bond. It is also very exciting and an important way to spread the word on organ donation and the participation as transplant athletes from all over the world will hopefully inform and inspire many through the Games.

I am planning on participating in pétanque, singles and doubles.

Tim is planning on participating in pétanque, road race, and racewalking.

Tim is in better shape than I am, he is motivated and promised to get some medals for both of us, we hope!