Bellbrae resident carries transplant message to Italy

A BELLBRAE resident is headed to Italy to compete in the inaugural Transplant Football World Cup.

Ante Kelic, a liver transplant recipient, has been selected for the Australian team, fulfilling a childhood dream of representing his country.

Diagnosed at the age of 17 with primary sclerosing cholangitis – a degenerative liver condition – Mr Kelic had to sacrifice his sport.

“I’ve always had a willingness to be able to represent my country and as a youngster I probably wasn’t afforded that because of the health issues that I had,” he said.

Teams for the world cup are made up of transplant recipients, both men and women, coming together to celebrate the gift of life during the week-long event in September.

Mr Kelic said it was an honour to be able to play for Australia and the team was playing for more than just themselves.

 

 

“Not only are we representing our country, there’s another level in terms of the motivation and determination.

“We’re playing for donors who have given us that second chance of life and to be able to create some awareness is something I’m really passionate about.”

Now a father to two children and chair of the Transplant Australia Football team, Mr Kelic hopes the world cup will start a wider conversation about organ donation.

“My life prior to having a transplant was very different, obviously coping with different illnesses, I had liver disease and also crohn’s disease.

“Having this transplant has enabled me to keep fit and get back to working and living what you’d say is a normal life compared to previously.”

Mr Kelic said Organ Donation Week, which began on July 28 and runs until Sunday, August 4, for people to look into the donation register and let their families and friends know about their wishes.

For more information on organ donation, head to donatelife.gov.au