The Nicholas Cup is part of the Winter World Transplant Games which will take place in Anzère from the 4^th-9^th of March 2012. To qualify for camp a child must be aged from 4-17 and be a total beginner skier.  However there is also a junior category within the games for experienced skiers.

The Winter World Transplant Games 2012 has something for every-one of all ages, children and adults. If you cannot ski come and learn! Transplant recipient adults and juniors who cannot, or do not wish to ski, can also take part in the curling and snowshoeing.

Please visit the official website of the games:  www.anzere2012.org  Invite your friends and family to join you. Celebrate the gift of life in the Swiss Alps from the 4^th-9^th March 2012 and we will offer you 2 extra nights, the 3^rd and the 9^th!
Hurry as enrolment closes 01.12.2011.

Pour voir, clickez “Anzère 2011″…
To watch, click “Anzere 2011″…

Henrik Gunnarson, Sweden

Henrik has loved coming to TACKERS camp with his father and younger brother, Hans. At camp Henrik has enjoyed skiing but decided that snowshoeing was his favourite activity. The family have found it a positive experience especially networking with other families whose children have also had transplants. They cannot wait to come back next year and his father, Per, has even enquired about becoming a camp counsellor! Henrik and Hans will be learning English and French in the coming year so that they can get even more out of TACKERS 2005.

At school Henrik’s favourite subject is mathematics and his homework at camp was to write a travelogue reporting on what he did at TACKERS. After school Henrik goes sailing and has recently joined the Sea Scouts.

Per is very proud of Henrik and believes that his greatest achievement is making it through the operation. Henrik was only four years old when he had his transplant and he has been very mature about it.

Phillip Bates, USA

TACKERS 2004 was Phillip’s third time at camp. He loves the snow, skiing and the interaction with the other children. He says that the kids here ‘get it’ and do not freak out about the medicines, scars and tubes, like the children at school do. Also, all the children give support to each other as they have shared the same experiences.

At school, Phillip likes anything related to science and loves participating in scientific experiments. Outside of school, he enjoys watching television; his favourite video game is Pokemon; and he loves studying animals.

Phillip’s mother, Terinda, believes that camp is a wonderful experience and worth the long journey as it is an opportunity of a lifetime. She wishes that there could be more funding so that other American children can come to TACKERS as many transplant children have not been out of their own state.

Regarding organ donation, Terinda thinks it is sad that anyone has to wait for a transplant but it is even sadder for children as they have to put their lives on hold.

Leonie had suffered from cystic fibrosis all of her life, which prevented her from attending school full time and had resulted in her being too tired to do anything else. Since her transplant, Leonie has been able to do everything and enjoys playing football, going horse riding and shopping with her friends. Leonie has now finished school and works in telesales but in September she will go to college to commence her training as a masseuse.

At camp, despite finding the skiing hard work, Leonie has seen it as a positive experience and has also enjoyed the dog sledging and meeting new people. Leonie believes that organs should not go to waste and go to people who need them.

Amy was unfortunate to have a virus attack her heart, which resulted in an emergency heart transplant. She has been able to resume the life she had before and enjoys swimming, running and participating in P.E. at school. Amy likes everything about camp, including the skiing, dog sledging, swimming and going to the karaoke discos. When Amy arrived at the airport to come to TACKERS she did not know anybody and was very nervous, but now she has made lots of new friends and believes that TACKERS is a great opportunity for herself and others to talk about their transplants. Amy believes that organ transplantation is very important because it helps to save people’s lives.

Laura Kane, UK

Laura suffered from cardiomiopathy heart disease and after having two pace makers fitted, it was decided that it would be best for her to have a heart transplant, which was a success. Laura was delighted as she had already missed a year of school.

Laura enjoys playing sport, listening to music, going shopping and catching up with her friends. At the World Transplant Games in 2003, Laura won two gold medals for the long jump and 100 metres sprint. She also won gold medals in the same two events at the British Transplant Games 2003.

TACKERS 2004 was Laura’s second camp and she has enjoyed making new friends and seeing friends again from last year’s camp. She believes that it is important for people to carry donor cards.

Emma Gibson, UK

Emma was diagnosed with Henloch Schlien when she was ten years old and was put on dialysis for six months leading up to her transplant. Prior to her transplant, Emma found her diet very frustrating as she couldn’t eat chocolate, bananas, potatoes, salt or food with potassium in.

Emma’s transplant went well and she is currently studying for her ‘A’ levels in Art, Textiles, and English. She enjoys going out, listening to music, drawing, playing football and going shopping. In 2003, Emma attended the World and British Transplant Games, where she won a bronze and gold medal respectively.

Emma has now been to two TACKERS camps and enjoys catching up with old friends, having a laugh and improving her skiing and snowboarding techniques.

Barbara Jereb, Slovania

Barbara had her liver transplant at the age of fifteen, after suffering from liver disease for three years. Before her transplant, Barbara was very shy but now she is much more confident and enjoys going to school everyday, participating on school trips, dancing, and skiing.

She finds everyone at TACKERS really nice and likes it that the counsellors don’t get angry if you go wrong when you are skiing! Barbara has also enjoyed making her banner for the closing parade.

Barbara is surprised that a ski camp for transplant children is possible and is happy about the opportunity that she has been given to come to Switzerland. She would like to thank Roche for sponsoring the week.

Kelly (right) is currently studying for her GCSEs and her favourite subjects at school are Mathematics, Science, ICT and Design & Technology. In September, Kelly will go to college to study ICT and full technology. After school, Kelly likes to hang around with her friends, listen to music, and go shopping for new clothes. At camp, Kelly has had a great time and has enjoyed skiing, banner painting and making friends.