Fatima wins gold at World Transplant Games despite kidney transplant!

Fatima Rashid, a Bangladeshi kidney recipient living in Dubai, won a gold medal in the javelin throw and a bronze medal in the 200-meter run at the World Transplant Games. Organ donors and recipients participated in this international sports event, celebrating life through sports. Fatima, through her own experience, showed that kidney transplantation does not mean the end of life, but rather opens the way to fulfilling dreams.

Fatima Rashid was only 29 years old at the time, and was suddenly diagnosed with high blood pressure. Despite living a normal life and being health conscious, kidney problems began. A few years later, the doctor told her that her kidneys were gradually failing. She was also pregnant at the time. Uncontrolled high blood pressure and sugar had gradually damaged her kidneys. Small kidney stones in her childhood also accelerated the problem.

In 2014, Fatima gave birth to a premature baby. She went to Spain because her husband and mother-in-law were in different countries. After giving birth to the baby, her physical condition worsened, and her kidney function dropped to just 45 points.

Despite her long-term illness, Fatima did not become mentally weak. She started spreading the message that people can be healthy even with kidney disease. In 2022, she suffered an acute kidney injury due to heat stroke while scuba diving, and the doctor said that a kidney transplant was the only solution.

After registering her name on a platform in Dubai, her family members also tried to help. As the kidneys of her brother, sister, and mother were not accepted, the kidney of an unidentified deceased person was finally transplanted into Fatima's body on January 10, 2023.

Within a month, Fatima ran four and a half kilometers—a celebration of new life. In 2025, she participated in three sports categories at the World Transplant Games held in Dresden, Germany, and won medals in two. After winning the gold medal, she showed her love for her motherland by handing over the national flag of Bangladesh.

Fatima said, "A kidney transplant does not mean the end of life. You can walk the path of your dreams, fulfill your dreams. Everyone's dreams should be tried to be realized."

Born in Dhaka, Fatima, who spent her childhood in Oman and later in various countries with her family, is now sharing her story on Google Meet from the United Arab Emirates. Through her new life and sporting success, Fatima Rashid has proven that potential and dreams can be maintained despite health challenges.