January 29, 2026 at 2:00 p.m
Other
HARDERWIJK The European Transplant Games will take place from 21 to 27 June. Two residents of Harderwijk are participating in the bowling part this year: Jan van Putten and José Verhoeven.
Jan van Putten received two new lungs about ten years ago. Due to cystic fibrosis, his life expectancy was very limited at the time. Thanks to a donor, he can actively resume his life and will participate in the European Transplant Games for the second time this year.
It is José Verhoeven’s first participation. She received a new heart more than eight years ago, after a congenital heart defect had progressively affected her condition. When it really didn’t work anymore, a heart transplant offered a solution. She sees participation in the games as a special milestone.
This international sporting event is especially intended for people who have undergone an organ or stem cell transplant. The games are organized once every four years and each time take place in a different European country. Participants can participate in a variety of sports, including darts, badminton, table tennis, swimming, pétanque, beach volleyball, athletics, tennis, golf and bowling.
The Dutch bowling team consists of five participants and trains in Bowling Center Harderwijk. The bowling alley makes a lane available for this purpose. The training sessions take place on February 1, March 1, March 29, April 26 and May 17, each time from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM. On March 1, April 26 and May 17, the training sessions will be supervised by a national bowler from Bowling Association Harderwijk.
