When Jenny Glithero woke up in hospital with a bandaged torso and no memory of how she got there, she could never have imagined where her journey would lead. After an emergency liver transplant saved her life, doctors told her about the British Transplant Games while she was still recovering. Today, windswept and glowing after a 25-mile bike ride, she's the picture of vitality and determination.

"I am so grateful for this liver, for this life that was gifted to me," Glithero says, her hand resting gently on the scar that tells her story of survival.

The British Transplant Games, established in 1978 by the charity Transplant Sport, is far more than a sporting event. It's a celebration of life, generosity, and the incredible resilience of the human spirit. Athletes who have received lifesaving organ transplants compete across various sports, each one honoring the anonymous donors who gave them a second chance.

Glithero's transformation is nothing short of inspiring. After being on a ventilator, she had to relearn even basic functions like breathing and walking. Six months later, she was back on her bicycle. "I went down the road for the first time without falling off," she recalls with joy. "I was like: 'I'm doing it! Oh my gosh, I'm doing it!' and that was the beginning of training."

At the games held at the magnificent Blenheim Palace in Oxford, athletes paraded through the west courtyard to thunderous applause. But the loudest cheers were reserved for the families of organ donors, affectionately called "the VIPs" by Transplant Team GB manager Lynne Holt. "Without them we wouldn't have any transplant recipients," she explains. "They've all given the gift of life."

Sue Burton was among those honored families. Her son Martin's organs were donated after he died from a brain hemorrhage at just sixteen. "It seemed like the absolute, natural thing to do," Burton shares. "Coming here, you see the benefit of all the people who have made that decision. It's completely inspiring. That's Martin's legacy."

The atmosphere at the games is electric with hope and celebration. Five-year-old Leo bounces to steel drum music at the opening ceremony, preparing to compete in the obstacle race, 25-meter sprint, and ball throw. His mother Gemma beams with pride as Leo lifts his shirt to show his transplant scar. "It's really amazing to see how far he's come," she says.

The games also serve a vital purpose in raising awareness about organ donation. Despite England's 2020 opt-out law, more than 8,000 people currently await lifesaving transplants in the UK. The games demonstrate powerfully what's possible after transplant, inspiring others to have crucial conversations with their families about donation.

Athletes who excel at the British Games may go on to represent Team GB at the World Transplant Games, where competitors from over 50 countries gather. But whether they win medals or not, every participant is already a champion, proving that with determination, gratitude, and the extraordinary gift of organ donation, people can not just survive but truly thrive.