I'm Built For This - Dealing with Invisible illnesses

Hi folks (if anyone is reading this) I've realised it's been a while since I last updated the I'm Built For This ' blog posts, so I'm back on the case. I have been very busy with various activities, presentations and events over the last 12 months or so, sharing my story on the kidney transplant in 2010, and Stoma surgery in 2021.  In addition to planning the return of the World Club Basketball Tournament in September 2022, the first since the Covid_19 lock down.  As a result the previous regular blog posts and stories slipped through the net, and the blog wasn't updated as I intended.  That's enough of my excuses, the stories and articles etc are back to shed a light and raise awareness on the impact of dealing with and overcoming invisible illnesses.  Thanks to: StomaTips Magazine  Bowel Research UK  Kidney Research UK  BBC South  Black and Raww  Diary of a Kidney Warrior  Welland Medical  Colostomy UK  Active Sussex  Salts Healthcare 

TV Exposure for the World Club Basketball Tournament 2022.  Getting the World Club Basketball Tournament  C. I. C 2022 featured on mainstream TV with the BBC, to promote the sport and our objectives, was a fantastic achievement. We're looking forward to generating more exposure for British basketball, our charity partners and sponsors at #WCBT2023 this September. Its great  to be recognised as the UK's No1 International Pro Am basketball event  www.worldclubbasketballtournament.com   #Britishbasketball #basketball #Hoops #International #Professional #TV #Exposure #Media #BBC

 It was a privilege to join the Black & Raww podcast to share my kidney transplant story and raise awareness of the need for organ donors from the black community.  The black community is severely under represented when it comes to organ donation, and being able to share my journey will hopefully shed some light on the issue.  Thanks to Black & Raww for providing the opportunity.  The podcast is available on Spotify, below https://open.spotify.com/episode/47psUExw3zaPGBLQQEsHjr Eric Douglin joins me on the podcast to talk about his kidney Black & Raww podcast available via the Spotify link Health, Wealth, Development & Basketball https://open.spotify.com/episode/47psUExw3zaPGBLQQEsHjr journey. He Eric Douglin joins me on the podcast to talk about his kidney transplant journey. He talks about the trials and tribulations that he experienced during this time. He also discusses the social projects that were birthed because of his kidney transplant and the need for black

Nice article in Tidings Magazine from one of  the World Club Basketball Tournament  C. I. C  charity partners Colostomy UK . It was great to have Colostomy UK on site to raise awareness on those impacted by Stomas and other invisible illnesses. Looking forward to working with this excellent charity in the near future. www.worldclubbasketballtournament.com

My latest blog post for Bowel Research UK.  "In our latest blog post, Eric talks about his journey and how he wanted to get back to fitness after stoma surgery. You can find Eric's post on our website, it may give you a new perspective:"  A link to the story can be found below : https://www.bowelresearchuk.org/latest-news/walking-my-way-back-to-fitness/

Thank you to Kidney Research UK for inviting me to share our kidney transplant journey at the KRUK Gala Mandi Douglin Guest Speaking at the Kidney Research Gala Dinner   It was a privilege to have had the opportunity to share my story in front of such an esteemed group of people, including researchers, transplant recipients and donors and celebrities.  Kidney Research UK  are at the forefront of transforming lives are researching way to extend the lives of kidney transplant recipients. 

Thanks to Salts Healthcare , one of the main sponsors of the World Club Basketball Tournament  C. I. C , for the article promoting our advocacy partnership, and raising awareness on stomas and associated invisible illnesses. Visit their website for the full article below. Looking forward to working with Salts Healthcare in 2023 https://www.salts.co.uk/en-gb/news-and-events/eric-douglin-founder-of-world-club-basketball-tournament?PID=91&Action=1Salts Healthcare Article

Here's an article I wrote on my journey  preparing for the World Club Basketball Tournament  C. I. C for the first time since having a stoma. The link to the story is below.  https://www.stomatips.com/features/article/hosting-international-basketball-with-a-stoma Thanks to StomaTips Magazine for sharing my  story. https://www.stomatips.com/features/article/hosting-international-basketball-with-a-stoma

Really enjoyed delivering a series of presentations to the staff & Executives at Welland Medical ,sponsors of the World Club Basketball Tournament  C. I. C  Eric Douglin & Kirsty Robinson of Welland Medical   Welland are one of Europe's major  specialialist in the design, development and manufacture of ostomy bags and accessories. It was great to provide an insight into WCBT and our objectives of raising awareness on those impacted with stomas and other invisible illnesses. Thanks to all at Welland for sponsoring WCBT2022, and allowing me to share my story to the excellent, engaged and inquisitive audience.  Link to the Welland Medical story  website  https://wellandmedical.com/eric-douglin-visits-welland/

World Club Basketball Founder – wins Sussex Sports Award Volunteer of the Year Award 2022 . Eric Douglin, founder of the World Club Basketball Tournament was crowned winner of the Sussex Sports Award Volunteer of the Year 2022, at the Sussex Sports Award ceremony last week (24/11/2022). Eric also finished runner up in the Outstanding Contribution to Sports & Physical category. Eric was already thrilled to be nominated in 2 categories, but to make the top 3 shortlist in both, was icing on the cake.   Background The World Club Basketball Tournament, an annual team event for overseas and domestic senior men’s teams, was founded in 2015 to provide opportunities for players around the world to compete in international competition.  Kidney Transplant    Eric received a kidney from his wife Mandi in 2010, after being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in 2005, a partnership was formed with Kidney Research UK. Eric is currently an ambassador for Kidney Research UK, which has been a dedi

Thank you to the Daily Express for sharing our kidney transplant story, and the opportunities the Gift of Life has given me over the years.  It was great to raise awareness on the positive impact of organ donation in the mainstream media.  Link to the story below 👇  https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1730817/Eric-Douglin-kidney-transplant-wife-daughter-wedding