A distinguished Nephrology Nurse and Professor, Dr Heilie Uys dedicated years to training the next generation of caregivers before facing a personal battle with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA), leading to kidney failure.
After three years on peritoneal dialysis, she received a life-changing kidney transplant in 2004. This second chance propelled her back into the world of sport, leading her to the South African Transplant Sports Association and the global stage of the World Transplant Games (WTG).
Her journey is not just one of survival, but one of remarkable achievement, encompassing ten WTG appearances and an extraordinary collection of medals.
Thank you so much for chatting to us today, Dr Uys. Please tell us more about your involvement in the World Transplant Games.
As a trained Nephrology Nurse, I have been involved in dialysis and transplantation since 1976, served as a Professor of Nursing at the Rand Afrikaans University, and established training courses for Nephrology Nurses.
I contracted an autoimmune disease called Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA), which led to kidney failure. After being on peritoneal dialysis for over three years, I received a kidney transplant on 13 March 2004.
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Post-transplant, I resumed my passion for sports and joined the South African Transplant Sports Association (SATSA). I participated in my first World Transplant Games (WTG) in 2005 in Canada, and now, at the age of 73, I will participate in August 2025 in my 10th WTG in Germany. I am blessed to have won 32 gold, 10 silver, and 2 bronze medals in golf, shot put, discus, and javelin, and have set eight world records.
What is your role in the World Transplant Games when it comes to being an athlete or administrator?
I am still actively involved in the WTG as an athlete and am part of the Eastern Cape Transplant Sports Association (ECTSA) in preparing and facilitating athletes to participate in the SA National Transplant Games (NTG) to qualify for the SA Team to participate in WTG.
My husband Willie is the Vice-President of the World Transplant Games Federation (WTGF), and together our days are filled with transplant sports administration.
You are also inducted into the World Transplant Games Federation’s Hall of Fame. What does this achievement mean to you?
My induction into the Hall of Fame is an opportunity to honour my kidney donor, whose Gift of Life gave me 21 extra years, and to give thanks to the Lord for His hand of protection on my life.
You have been part of the World Transplant Games for many years. What has being a transplant athlete taught you about leadership?
My nursing profession taught me endurance and taking control of situations, no matter what the circumstances are. As Secretary of the South African Transplant Sports Association for many years till 2014 and then serving in many capacities on the Management Committee of ECTSA, it prepared me to also function as Team Captain and Team Manager of the SA Transplant Team through the years.
What have your fellow transplant athletes taught you about leadership?
Transplant athletes participate in sports not just to perform, but also to celebrate new life after transplantation. To be part of a Touring Management Team, the focus is on encouragement and support more than performance.
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By doing that, the end result is mostly positive as reflected by the medal count after every WTG. The SA Transplant Sports Team of 66 athletes brought back 71 medals with a standing of 8th place out of 51 participating countries at the 2025 WTG in Germany.
How do you hope to inspire the younger generation of female transplant athletes who are looking for booming leaders?
As a leader, my motto is to make a difference in other athletes’ lives through setting an ethical and caring example and ‘paying it forward’.
What does it mean to transplant athletes to be able to represent their nation?
Athletes who had to give up their passion for sport because of organ failure are grateful to get another chance after transplantation to excel again and represent their country on the world stage.
Is enough being done to ensure female transplant athletes are able to compete in various sporting codes?
Through the Transformation policy of the South African Transplant Sports Association, all transplant women athletes are given the opportunity to participate in sport with necessary support.
What are you hoping to still achieve as a transplant athlete?
They say old age is just a number. Being in my 70s does not prevent me from still being active in sport and making a difference in other transplant athletes’ lives. Every day is a gift from God, which I will use to His glory.
Main Photo Caption: Nephrology Nurse and kidney transplant recipient, Dr Heilie Uys, has transformed her second chance at life into a remarkable sporting career, achieving world records and a huge haul of medals. All Photos: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: Celebrating her Hall of Fame Award, Uys honours her donor whose remarkable gift of 21 extra years gave her a second chance at life.
Photo 3 Caption: Uys is unapologetic: “Being in my 70s does not prevent me from still being active in sport and making a difference in other transplant athletes’ lives.”
