A Cardiff physiotherapy student who rebuilt her life after two life-changing transplants is preparing to support other transplant recipients, donors and families at this year’s Westfield Health British Transplant Games.
Sian Emmett, who is entering the final year of a physiotherapy degree at the University of South Wales, will join a team of 48 therapists providing specialist support at the Games in Sheffield from August 6-9.
The 38-year-old has a personal understanding of the challenges faced by participants. She has competed at the Games herself, represented Wales in mixed football, and has also taken part in the World Transplant Football Cup.
Now, she will return in a professional support role, helping others take part in sport and celebrate life after transplantation.
Sian, from Cardiff, was working as a physio assistant and preparing to begin her journey towards becoming a physiotherapist when an unexpected diagnosis in 2020 changed everything.
After many years of managing Type 1 diabetes, blood tests revealed her kidneys were failing and that urgent action was needed.
“I went to a follow-up appointment expecting everything to be fine,” Sian said. “Instead, I was told my kidneys hadn’t recovered and that I was going to need a transplant.
“It was a complete shock. I was planning to go to university to study physiotherapy and suddenly I was being told I needed a kidney transplant. It felt like the end of the world.”
The diagnosis came during the Covid-19 pandemic, creating additional challenges for vulnerable patients. As someone awaiting a transplant, Sian was advised to shield and found herself isolated from the support networks normally available to transplant patients.
“It was a really scary time,” she said. “Normally there are opportunities to meet other transplant recipients and speak to people who understand what you’re going through, but everything was shut down.
“I’m incredibly grateful to the psychologists and healthcare professionals who supported me through that period.”
Sian was added to the transplant waiting list in summer 2021 and underwent her first dialysis session in January 2022. Just 20 minutes after arriving home, her phone rang.
“I genuinely thought the hospital was calling because I’d left my favourite coffee cup behind,” she laughed.
Instead, doctors had found a donor match.
The following day, Sian underwent a combined kidney and pancreas transplant. While the kidney transplant was immediately successful, the pancreas transplant unfortunately failed and had to be removed.
A month later, she received a second pancreas transplant from another donor. Sian spent months recovering and dealing with complications, but never lost sight of her ambition to become a physiotherapist.
“I always viewed it as a sidestep rather than a stop sign,” she said. “There was never a point where I thought I wasn’t going to become a physio.”
Today, Sian says she feels healthier than she has in years and is edging ever closer to becoming a qualified physiotherapist.
“I feel like myself again,” she said. “I go hiking, I travel and recently completed a 50-kilometre charity walk.
“I remember a time when simply walking down the street felt exhausting. Now I’m able to do things I never imagined would be possible again.
“That’s why I’m such a strong advocate for being active after transplantation. Physical activity is important for your physical health, but also for your confidence, wellbeing and mental health.”
Sian’s first experience of the Westfield Health British Transplant Games came when she represented Wales in mixed football at the 2024 event.
She describes discovering the transplant community as one of the most rewarding parts of her journey.
“It’s such a welcoming community,” she said. “Everyone has been through something similar, but every story is different. You learn so much from each other and there’s a real sense of belonging.”
This year, Sian will experience the Games from a different perspective as part of a specialist therapies team led by Transplant Sport Therapy Lead Alison Bloxham.
The team will provide voluntary physiotherapy, sports therapy, sports psychology and rehabilitation support to hundreds of participants throughout the event.
“For me, it feels like everything has come full circle,” Sian said. “I’m combining my own experience as a transplant recipient with the career I love.
“To be able to support other transplant recipients as they enjoy sport, challenge themselves and celebrate what transplantation has made possible is incredibly special.”
The Games will take place from August 6-9 and celebrate the life-changing impact of organ donation, the importance of active recovery and the extraordinary gift of life from donors and their families.
“The donor families are the real heroes,” Sian said. “Without them and their consent to donating their loved one’s organs, none of us would be here. The Games are a celebration of that gift and everything it makes possible.”
