Exmouth liver transplant recipient Lisa Woodcock, who won a TV award last year for her campaigning work, is taking part in the Transplant Games which start on Thursday, August 1.

Lisa had a life-saving transplant two and a half years ago and has been raising awareness and understanding of the organ donor system ever since.

She was featured on national television in October last year when she won the Woman of the Year Game Changer Award from Lorraine Kelly.

She is heading for Nottingham this week to compete in the 5K walk event - something that would have been impossible for her 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 said. “I also had a fast-advancing variant of the disease.”  

Because of her rapidly deteriorating health, Lisa was placed on the transplant list just a year after being diagnosed with PBC and received her transplant after a four-month wait for a match. 

She said: “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.

“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. She raises funds for the Trust and supports people with similar conditions to hers. She has helped countless people and inspired many more to sign up to the organ donor register.

She said: "The British Liver Trust 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, said: "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.” 

The Transplant Games have been taking place since 1978. The event aims to encourage transplant patients to regain fitness, while increasing public awareness of the need for more people to join the NHS Organ Donation Register and discuss their wishes with their families. 

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