U.S. Games
- Spirit of Teamwork Prevails at the Games Closing Ceremony
- The Games Officially Come to an End in an Inspiring Closing Ceremony
Spirit of Teamwork Prevails at the Games Closing Ceremony
By Lora Wilson
Teams gathered one last time for the closing ceremonies at the University of Pittsburgh’s Petersen Events Center to reflect on their experiences at the 2008 Games, to recognize exceptional contributions with awards and to celebrate renewed life made possible through the generosity of organ donors.
Transplantation by nature is a team sport. The contributions of many individuals—donors, health professionals, caregivers—must harmonize with precise timing and exacting skill to produce a successful outcome. As Novartis representative, Leslie Morrison stated, there are 200,000 transplant patients in the United States. “The best medicine for health is hope.” By displaying their health and vitality, our transplant athletes provide hope to those who wait for life saving organ transplants.
Underlying all of the accomplishments at the transplant games is abundant gratitude for the generosity of organ donors who are the most valuable players on our team. Anabel Stenzel, winner of the 2008 Making Life Better Award, reminded us: “I breathe because of you; I speak because of you, and these medals are for you!” Her joy in coming back to the games after the trials of a second double lung transplant was tarnished by learning of the death of a dear friend who died waiting for a kidney/double lung.
John L. Landers, adult recipient of the 2008 Wendy Marx Foundation Award for Organ Donor Awareness, reiterated that sobering message. “Here’s the deal…we ain’t done. We have 100,000 on the list. We gotta fix it! We can talk all day about how great our lives are….We’ve got people dying and waiting. You’re huge in this fight; carry it out.”
Dale Flowers offered benediction, beginning, “Let us remember that these games are not about the athletes; they’re about the donors.” From now until we gather in 2010 for the games in Madison, Wisconsin, may we use our gift of life to call attention to the critical need for organ donors.
See photos from the event here.
The Games Officially Come to an End in an Inspiring Closing Ceremony
By Jim Gleason
The Peterson Event Center at the University of Pittsburgh was filled with sections of rainbow colors as teams gathered for the last time, their shirts a tribute to the variety of groups gathered to celebrate life. Donor families were honored again and again as the 1100+ recipients reveled in their recent athletic accomplishments, many still wearing their gold, silver and bronze medals around their necks. But all athletes glowed with the thrill of being winners in every respect.
Transplant recipients shared their musical talents with lyrics that brought tears to the audience who shared in the memories and truth of their musical messages.
Awards were bestowed on many for their support and accomplishments, with moving tributes that told the story of their bravery and efforts in raising awareness and helping others. One very unique award was presented by Isabel Stenzel-Byrnes to her identical twin sister, Ana Stenzel, two girls who have grown up with Cystic Fibrosis. They have always been each others major caregiver, and eventually received double lung transplants. The cheers of the crowds attested to their recognition of the twins’ unique relationship—and all the girls have done to promote and help the transplant community.
As is tradition, the final (and there were many “this is the final…” elements in the 2-1/2 hour program) moments announced that the 2010 Games will be hosted by Madison, Wisconsin, July 30 through August 4th. And then, the closing video, a production by Stu Katz and his video team, filled the big screens and the audience cheered as they watched and celebrated the many moments captured from the last week here in Pittsburgh. This year, the film seemed longer than normal as many more familiar faces and sports moments were shared—a nice improvement since this is such a highlight of the closing each Games year.
Well done everyone! Looking forward to seeing everyone again at the U.S. Transplant Games in Madison, WI in 2010!
See photos from the event here.
