Mother, son to compete in Canadian Transplant Games in Toronto

A mother and son linked by a liver transplant will be competing in the Canadian Transplant Games this week in Toronto.

Doris and Adam Camilleri will join more than 200 transplant recipients and living donors from across Canada, the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Australia at the eighth annual games. The eventruns from Monday to Saturday.

The opening ceremony, scheduled for Monday evening, will include an athletes parade at Nathan Phillips Square.

"We all have a story," Doris Camilleri told Metro Morning on Monday.

"We've all been through it. We all talk about it. We have a special bond. It's a relationship that we build amongeach other. Every year, when the games are held in Canada, it truly is a pleasure to attend. We are all one big family."

Medals will be awarded at the games, which are designed to:

• Increase organ and tissue donation in Canada.
• Show that a healthy lifestyle can be achieved after a transplant.
• Promote the success of organ donation and transplantation.
• Thank donor families.
• Offer hope to Canadians on waiting lists.

This year marks the first time that living donors are allowed to participate in the games. Adam donated 70 per cent of his liver to Doris in 2008. This year is the second time that Doris has competed, but the first time for Adam. Doris said if she wins a gold medal, she will give it to her transplant surgeon.

Doris is competing in five events:cycling, speed walking, ball throw, shot put and golf.Adam is competing in two events:cycling and golf.

Her ordeal began in January 2008, when she returned from vacation with her husband. She was admitted to a hospital the next day because she wasn't feeling well. Her illness persisted, and in August 2008, she was admitted again for threemore weeks. She was diagnosed with septicemia, an infection of the blood, also known as blood poisoning.

In September 2008, she was told by a Toronto General Hospital doctor that she needed a liver transplant.

Son 'stepped up'

"Totally devastated by the outcome," she said about her reaction to the news. "We immediately pulled together. Thank God for the tremendous support and love from my husband, my children and my family. I was able to get through this."

Even though she had 10 people willing to undergo an operation to donate a portion of their livers to her, Doris's son Adam "stepped up" and was adamantthat he should be the donor. Doctors told him he had a one per cent chance of dying on the operating table.

"You want to do the right thing for your mother," Adam said. "I wanted to be the guy. Everyone loves their mother. When you see your mother in that situation, it strikes a chord. Obviously, I wanted to get it done as fast as possible."

Adam said the transplant was a rewarding experience and itbrought him closer to his mother. "You feel like a million bucks," he said. "You just extended someone's life."

Doris said she was very happybut was concerned about Adam, who was 20 at the time. "Not knowing the outcome, not knowing what to expect" was difficult, she said. Now they have an "incredible bond" that she said is greater than it was before the operation.

"Adam gave me the gift of life. It was an unselfish act. It was a very emotional time," Doris said. "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for my son. I am living proof that transplants work."

A gala will be held on Saturday at the Liberty Grand to bring the games to a close.