Alexandra Funk
28, kidney recipient
Name:
Alexandra Funk
Date of Birth:
29/09/1996
Region/Country:
Stuttgart, Germany
Since when have you been transplanted?
Since 11/08/2015
Which organ was transplanted?
I received a kidney through a living donation.
Why was the transplant necessary, and what has it enabled you to do?
The exact cause of my condition is still unknown. It is believed to be an autoimmune genetic defect that led to inflammation of the kidney glomeruli, significantly impairing kidney function. The transplant allowed me to avoid dialysis, sparing me from a long wait for a deceased donor organ.
How was the time for you just before and after the transplant?
The time before the transplant was relatively short for me. There were only three months between the diagnosis and the transplant, which were filled with many hospital stays and doctor visits to prepare for the procedure. After the transplant, I initially felt worse, as I had considered myself relatively “healthy” before. The transplant, along with the necessary immunosuppression, was no easy journey. However, I gradually started feeling better.
What role does sport play in your life?
Sport has always played a significant role in my life. I’ve been involved in athletics since I was six years old, meaning I have been active in this sport for over 20 years now. For me, sport is an important balance in my daily life and provides me with a great deal of support.
What have you already achieved in sports?
I have won various titles at German championships since 2017.
At the 2017 World Championships in Malaga, I won gold in the 100m, long jump, shot put, and javelin throw, as well as silver in the 4x100m relay.
At the 2019 World Championships in Newcastle, I secured gold in the high jump and javelin throw, along with silver in the 100m, long jump, and shot put.
At the 2023 World Championships in Perth, I earned gold in the 100m, long jump, high jump, and discus throw, as well as silver in the javelin throw and 4x400m relay.
What do you associate with the World Transplant Games, and why are you excited about WTG2025 in Dresden?
The World Transplant Games are a celebration of life for me. It is always something special to come together with friends from around the world who share the same fate and are only alive thanks to an organ donation. The opening ceremony consistently provides moments that give me goosebumps. Experiencing the WTG in my home country is, of course, something very special, and I look forward to being part of the largest German team to date and sharing many wonderful moments and celebrated titles.
In which competitions will you likely compete in Dresden?
I plan to compete in track and field, specifically in the 100m, long jump, high jump, javelin throw, discus throw, and the relay races.
