U.S. Games
Events & Activities
Games Expo
For the first two days, registered Games attendees can participate in fun and educational activities, visit with Games sponsors and exhibitors, enjoy free giveaways, and more.
5K Race for Organ & Tissue Donation Awareness
Walk, Jog, or Run… Join us at your own pace in the name of Organ & Tissue Donation Awareness, a road race for transplant recipients, family members, friends, transplant professionals, living donors, donor families and the local community.
2008 5K Race Information
Opening Ceremony
The official opening of the Games! The athlete, living donor and donor family procession, lighting of the torch, tribute to donors and raising of the flag will be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Come join us, the entire transplant community, along with celebrity guests for this momentous celebration of “unbridled spirit”!
Athlete Village
Event results and meet-and-greet boards will be available to participants at the air-conditioned Athlete’s Village as well as lounge areas, meeting places and food concessions. The National Donor Family Quilt will also be exhibited there throughout the Games, which is one of the few times that all 30 panels of the Quilt are displayed together. Take a breather and meet up with family and friends at the center of all of the action.
Kid’s Time
"It's play time! Kids' Time is a series of two-to-three events organized especially for children who attend the Games. From basketball clinics and city tours to museums and interactive science exhibits, the children's chaperones will find themselves enjoying themselves just as much as the kids!"
Patches of Love, The National Donor Family Quilt
The National Donor Family Quilt commemorates deceased organ and/or tissue donors. Since its creation in 1995, the Quilt has grown to an over 350-foot long display created by donor families in honor of their loved ones. Each quilt patch is decorated with names, photos, favorite clothing, poems, or other symbols of the donor’s life. The NKF U.S. Transplant Games is one of the very few places the Quilt is seen in its entirety.
Giving, Grieving, Growing Program
A series of workshops on organ and tissue donation developed for donor families, which include; sharing sessions for grieving families, an art therapy session to honor your loved ones, and more. These workshops are a great place to meet other donor families and share with them in a safe and supportive environment.
2008 Giving, Grieving, Growing Workshops
The Donor Recognition Ceremony
A special tribute to our loved ones who donated organs at the time of death, the Ceremony will feature a video tribute to donors, music and readings to honor donors and their families, and reflections from transplant recipients whose lives were changed dramatically from the precious gift of donation. All Games participants are encouraged to come and honor donor families at this ceremony. Please note there will be a separate recognition to honor living donors.
Living Donor Program
A series of workshops on organ and tissue donation developed for living donors and those who would like to learn more about living donation, which include; sharing sessions for living donors, an art therapy session to process the living donor experience, hot topics in living donation, and more. These workshops are a great place to meet living donors and share with them in a supportive environment.
Living Donor Recognition Event
All are welcome to join us in recognizing the generosity and spirit of our nation’s living donors. This inspiring program will include readings, music and special tributes.
Coffee House
Enjoy a cup of coffee at this open mic forum for donor families, living donors, recipients and transplant professionals. Participants can share their experiences through stories, personal thoughts, poems, songs or other creative ways.
Social Lounge
The “Games After Dark” offers refreshments and nightly entertainment in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh. Join others to relax, mingle with other Games participants, recount the day, sing karaoke, and make new friends. Have fun and enjoy a taste of Pittsburgh!
Quilt Pinning Ceremony
Patches of Love: The National Donor Family Quilt commemorates the love and lives of those who have given the Gift of Life through organ and tissue donation. Since 1995 almost 1,800 families have created patches to remember and honor their loved ones.
During a special Quilt Pinning Ceremony, National Donor Family Council (NDFC) volunteers will help families pin their own “Patches of Love” to the newest Quilt panel. As they pin the commemorative patches, family members can share a few words about their loved ones through a story, memory or poem.
Closing Ceremonies
The official closing of the Games and traditional passing of the flag. The Jerry Cound Outstanding Athlete awards and other awards will be given.
Donor/Recipient Golf Outing
FORE! Join transplant recipients, living donors, donor families, transplant professionals and friends, the Donor/Recipient Golf Outing is open to everyone! Prizes will be awarded for Best Ball, Longest Drive, and more!
2008 Golf Outing Information
