HAGERSTOWN, MD- A local man is preparing to travel to Australia to compete on an international level.

Mike Butler is going to the World Transplant Games in Brisbane.

He'll be one of two people from Maryland.

Butler, who is also an amputee, received a kidney and pancreas transplant fifteen years ago.

He says he thinks about his donor, a woman named Kelly, every day, and he will be wearing a wristband with her name during the competition.

Butler says he wants to show transplant recipients they can excel after surgery.

Fifteen years ago when I was laying in bed I would have never thought to participate again at this level because I'm competing against the world's best transplant athletes, Butler said.

Butler will leave on August 19th for Australia.

He says he wants to get there a day early to prepare for the competition.

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