A WOMAN who underwent a double lung transplant is set to battle for sporting glory for the second year running.

Karen Mills, 33, from Colchester, competed in five events at the British Transplant Games for the first time last year and scooped a bronze medal.

She belonged to the Royal Papworth Hospital Team, which competed against other transplant hospitals in the UK.

This year, as part of the team again, Karen will compete in the 50-metre backstroke swim, the swim relay, ten-pin bowling, long jump and 400-metre run.

It was her performance in last year’s backstroke which saw her take a bronze medal and she hopes to add to her medal haul this year.

Karen was given a second chance at a full life after she underwent her transplant after suffering from cystic fibrosis.

She said: “I have been taking my training a bit more seriously this year now I know what to expect.

“My husband, Glen, and I have been trying to go bowling several times a month since the spring, and I have been trying to get used to running the 400 metres, although I do struggle with this as I get back pains at times.

“My goal is just to finish that race in one piece. I have also been swimming regularly, even on holidays.”

Just five years ago, Karen was unsure if she’d make it to her 35th birthday.

She was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis aged five.

By her twenties, Karen found taking tablets to manage her condition was not enough.

Cystic fibrosis leaves sufferers’ lungs and digestive system clogged with thick sticky mucus.

Finally, on February 23 2014, a suitable lung donor was found and Karen underwent a double transplant.

She was given a second chance of life.

Braintree and Witham Times:

Last year, Karen competed in the 4 x 50 metre swim relay (freestyle), long jump, ladies’ doubles badminton and ball throw.

The Transplant Games take place from Thursday in Newport, Wales, and will involve more than 1,000 competitors taking part in 23 different sports and events.

Transplant survivors, including children as young as three, can take part in sports such as athletics, basketball, cycling, football, golf, snooker, swimming, tennis, volleyball and The Donor Run, an inclusive event which is also open to the public.

The aim of the games is to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation.

The law is due to change next year so adults have to opt out of organ donation, rather than opting in.

This means that all adults in England will be considered to have agreed to be an organ donor when they die unless they have recorded a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups.

You still have a choice if you want to be an organ donor or not when you die.

There are currently about 6,000 people on the UK Transplant Waiting List.

Last year, more than 400 people died while waiting for a transplant.

For more information, go to www.organdonation.nhs.uk.