U.S. Games
Courtside Camaraderie Ruled at the Games Basketball Competition
By Lora Wilson
The silence and reverence that surrounds the donor quilts displayed in the lobby of the DL Convention Center is in sharp contrast to the cacophony of sounds on the 3-on-3 basketball courts just beyond the doors—twelve half-courts of bouncing balls, referee whistles, squeaking shoes and cheering fans. "Here we go Pittsburgh, here we go… stomp, stomp on the bleachers!" "Let's go Buffalo!" This event embodies the color and enthusiasm of the games, and attracts large numbers of spectators to support their teams.
Looking at the vitality of these basketball players, young and old, it's hard to imagine that each once faced serious illness. While some of the play was aggressive, sportsmanship reigned. Often players who fell were helped up by their opponents, and after each match, players from both sides posed together for photos.
There was lively pin trading in the spectator area at basketball and at other competitions today. One woman from Team Kentucky displayed her collection on a Terrible Towel. A woman from Nevada at the team bowling event had a U.S. map on a large piece of felt to organize her pins from coast to coast. In getting off the shuttle at the convention center, I exchanged pins with a donor family from Ohio. This was special to me since my husband's kidney/pancreas donor was from Columbus, OH.
Lisa Grundza is a nurse with CIGNA who coordinates care for transplant patients throughout the U.S. She volunteered for registration on Saturday and tonight served as a medical support volunteer for the basketball event. Thankfully, there were only some minor sprains, cuts and bruises. Dealing with transplant patients by phone everyday, it was gratifying for Lisa to witness the accomplishments of our transplant athletes
See photos from the event here.
