Transplant recipients, living donors and donor family members from across the country will be gathering in Ottawa in a few days for the biennial Canadian Transplant Games. Steve Farmer, a liver recipient from Victoria, is one of 14 athletes from B.C. competing at the Games. This will be his sixth Canadian Transplant Games. 

Steve will be celebrating 20 years with his gifted liver. Now 66 years old, Steve loves to stay active and he has been training for the Games since January with his dog, who helps keep him going with his fitness routine. Steve is excited to go to Ottawa, make new transplant friends, and take in some Canadian history. 

I was diagnosed with hepatitis C at the age of 46. Upon meeting the specialist, I was told I was already at stage five, the worst level, and so transplant was the only hope for another chance at life. 

I received my beautiful miracle on New Year’s Day of 2005 — a new liver, and the best way to start the upcoming year. I remember it was snowing a lot that day so getting to Vancouver General Hospital was a journey. I got the call at 2am but the surgery was done at 9pm. I retired five years ago but the transplant also allowed me to continue my career in sheet metal and take care of my family.  

I will be celebrating 20 years of transplant in January of 2025. That is why I decided to participate in the Canadian Transplant Games, to celebrate this gift of life. 

Before my transplant, I was focused on being a dad to my two little girls. They would keep me moving with our daily activities, but I didn’t participate in any major hobbies or sports. 

After transplant, I wanted to stay active so participating in the Games keeps me motivated to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. I have created a small gym in my home. It allows me to exercise at my own pace and on my own time. This way, if I need to jump off and rest, it is super accessible. 

I saw a poster advertising the Games at the transplant clinic within the first few months of my transplant. It piqued my interest, and I went to my first Canadian Transplant Games in 2006 in Edmonton. Since then, I have participated in five other Canadian Games so this year will be my sixth Games. 

I hope to participate in the World Transplant Games one day as well as it is a great place to meet new people and make friends. 

The Games are a place where we feel ‘normal’. You get the opportunity to share your story with people who also have their own unique story. Most people don’t understand what it means to be a transplant recipient so emotionally these people are on the same journey. It feels great to attend these games and connect with all these amazing individuals. 

                             

I will be participating in the 5km road race, 5km bike race, 20km bike race, a 100m freestyle swim and pickleball. You can enter five events and I wanted to participate in different sports that were all-rounded and try my hand at different activities. Therefore, I have also trained for these different sports since January.

I hope to come back home with at least one medal this year, but in the past, I have collected many medals, like seven per Games! I am very proud of my collection. 

It has been almost 20 years since my transplant. That is 20 bonus years of life. I don’t know too much about my donor, but they gave my daughters their dad. I was able to experience the joy of seeing my daughters get married and I continue to experience the wonders of life every day. 

     

I have a dog who keeps me active as I find it’s important to stay active to honour my donor. My donor is a blessing, they are very appreciated for their selfless decision to donate their liver to me.