Cochrane's Michelle Hounslow came home from the 10th Canadian Transplant Games with five gold medals, four in swimming and one in javelin!
The 45-year-old kidney transplant recipient was among over 120 participants, including organ recipients, living donors, families of deceased donors, and supporters, competing at the games in Ottawa last month.
READ: Cochrane athlete to compete at Canadian Transplant Games
She competed in 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, 100m freestyle and 100m breaststroke.
"Hounslow was supposed to compete in five swimming events but a missed registration left her with the opportunity to try something else the following day. She competed in javelin with the last-minute coaching of two experienced javelin throwers, Dennis from Ontario and Ken from the USA." said Hounslow in a news release.
“The transplant community is like no other group of people I have ever encountered. It’s an immediate extension of family, and making connections with people who have shared a similar experience is invaluable. At the closing ceremonies and gala, we celebrated all competitors and supporters, including a man who has had his kidney for almost 50 years! The gratitude and acknowledgement of every single donor is the core of these games,” said Hounslow.
Hounslow added, “The air was filled with energy and camaraderie and despite my love of swimming and competing, I jumped at the chance to also try an event like javelin. It was just for fun and this was the perfect venue to try something new and explore."
Hounslow received a kidney donation six years ago following a long childhood illness.
The youngest competitor at the Ottawa games was 10 years old and the oldest was 76.
The games were held from Aug. 3-8.
