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Inspiring Young Athletes

Monday, 30 July 2018 at 12:47

Ryley Mitchell is only 13 years old and has already completed her fifth National Transplant Games.

WOODSTOCK - A young Woodstock athlete is looking to pass on inspiration.

Ryley Mitchell felt inspired after talking to athletes at the National Transplant Games at age three.

Her mom, Joanna Mitchell, remembers an athlete they met at the first transplant games that they watched.

"We told him that Ryley had a heart transplant and he took one of the gold medals off of his neck and he put it around her neck and he said 'Oh a heart transplant; that deserves a gold medal.' Just that generosity really inspired us and we said after that this is something we need to be a part of."

Ten years later she has completed her fifth straight games.

During the competition she helped a seven year old get over her anxiety before her big debut.

Ryley won two gold and three silver medals at this year.

Mitchell was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and was put on a transplant list at seven months old.

Joanna says most people forget about kids when thinking about organ donations.

"A lot of people will think its older people who will need organ transplants but Ryley just shows you there's lots of kids who's born with these conditions that they need transplants to be able to live a life."

Anyone considering organ donation can find more information online here.

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