Transplant Games

TRANSPLANT GAMES of AMERICA

 

As the recipient of a liver transplant in 2008, I was really happy to have the opportunity to participate in my first Transplant Games of America in 2014 in Houston, Texas as a member of Team SoCal. It was a wonderful experience having the opportunity to meet members and supporters of the transplant community from all over the nation and the world. We were there to celebrate the gift of life, to honor organ donors and donor families, and to increase awareness of the critical need for organ donation. We broke bread together, danced, exchanged pins with participants from every state in the United States, and shared stories with old and new friends. Then some of us participated in athletic events. It was exciting competing in various events like cycling, volleyball, track and field, bowling, basketball, golf, corn hole and more. Some won gold, silver and bronze medals for their efforts, but the most rewarding was simply being able to participate. Many of us had survived near death experiences while waiting for organ transplants, and it was no less than a miracle that we were now healthy enough to participate in athletic events. The games gave us a chance to show the world, by our participation in the games, the results of the compassionate gift of organ donation. I am excited about the upcoming 2016 games in Cleveland, Ohio and looking forward to joining my Team SoCal members there to continue our celebration of life, and to help increase awareness and give hope to the thousands on the waiting list for life saving organ transplant.