Remembering Maurice Slapak CBE | 1930-2026
We are saddened to hear of the death of Dr Maurice Slapak CBE, the pioneering transplant surgeon, founder of the British Transplant Games and the first President of the World Transplant Games Federation.
Following an international career in surgery, including appointments at Harvard Medical School and Boston City Hospital, Maurice returned to the UK and became Senior Training and Consultant Surgeon at the Wessex Transplant Unit at St Mary’s Hospital, Portsmouth.
In 1978, Maurice founded the Transplant Games, with the first event taking place in Portsmouth. Originally known as the “Transplant Olympics”, he recognised that transplantation was about more than survival, and that rehabilitation, staying active and returning to a full and fulfilling life were an important part of recovery.
His vision was to bring transplant recipients together through sport to celebrate the gift of life and demonstrate what was possible after transplantation.
What began as a small sporting event has grown into an international movement, with thousands of transplant recipients, living donors, donor families and supporters now taking part in the British and World Transplant Games.
To date, there have been 48 British and 25 World Transplant Games, with competitors ranging from children as young as four to people in their 80s.
Maurice remained a passionate supporter of the Games throughout his life, continuing to take part himself well into his 90s!
In 2019, when the British Transplant Games were held in Newport, Wales, Jane, PKD Charity’s Communications and Events Manager and a kidney transplant recipient herself, had the pleasure of meeting Maurice for the first time.
She met him after he had competed in the Donor Run and was inspired by his passion and commitment to the transplant community, as well as his charm and wonderful sense of humour.
Maurice passed away peacefully on Sunday, 9 August, while the 48th British Transplant Games were taking place in Sheffield. The Games brought together 1,127 transplant competitors, 219 living donor competitors and more than 1,250 donor families and supporters to celebrate transplantation and the gift of life.
His legacy lives on every time transplant recipients come together to compete, support one another and celebrate life, while honouring the donors and their families who make transplantation possible.
We send our condolences to Maurice’s family, friends and everyone in the transplant community who knew and worked alongside him.
Kidney transplants in ADPKD (autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease)
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Transplant, Organ Donation, transplant games, Blogs
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