Christine has been an athlete herself for a long long time – ever since I first knew her as a youngin’. Back then she helped to further my interest in reading and now she inspires me with her drive and courage.

Christine was diagnosed with cancer in 1987 but was able to battle through it and come out on top – although there have since been occasions where things were a little touch and go there for a while. Since receiving treatment for the cancer and a bone-marrow transplant Christine has become a bit of a “superstar” when it comes to competing in the World Transplant Games, bringing home a swag of medals whenever she goes. I think the last time she competed she won about a dozen medals – mainly gold and silver. Early on in her Transplant Games career she seemed to bring back 30 gold and silver medals! In fact it didn’t seem to matter what event she entered into – she always seemed to get a medal of one color or another! Although she was originally a long distance runner Christine has also won medals in the shorter distances, long jump, tennis and table tennis.

Christine has also won many medals in the Australian Transplant Games and has competed in the Veteran games (or is it the Masters Games? One of those anyway).

In just over a week Christine flies out of here for the XV World Transplant Games in London, Canada. She’s been training for these games for the last six months – 4 to 5 hours a day in fact – so hopefully everything will work out well for her. Of course it goes without saying that we all wish her the best from back home. Whether she wins medals this time around or not we’ll always be proud of her and she’ll continue to remain an inspiration to us all.

Congratulations on the Winter Olympics, Chris, and good luck on the Transplant Games!

NOTE: I was surprised to find out that, although I was able to locate the results of Christine’s events on Google, I couldn’t find any write-ups or articles on the web? I know there’s lots of articles in the real world (my mum has an ever-changing fridge full of them) so I thought it was about time that situation was rectified. I’m going to do some research and throw together a cool website for Christine over the coming weeks and months.