U.S. Games
- Attendees share personal stories and show support at US Transplant Games
- Honoring the Gift of Life at the Donor Recognition Ceremony
Attendees share personal stories and show support at US Transplant Games
The 2008 National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games are in full swing! And while the action-packed sporting events are drawing big crowds, the Games also present a unique opportunity for donors and recipients to socialize and discuss their experiences.
Throughout the weekend, participants were invited to a variety of workshops and programs. The Giving, Grieving, Growing workshops, designed for donor families to meet one another and share their stories, featured an art therapy session where loved ones were honored. Living donors and those interested in learning more about living donation took part in the Living Donor Program, which included moving personal stories and an enlightening discussion of the donation process.
Our Coffee House proved to be another popular attraction. Attendees could enjoy a cup of coffee and relax at this open mic forum for donor families, living donors, recipients and transplant professionals. Participants shared their experiences through stories, personal thoughts, poems, songs or in other creative ways.
And what better way to end the day than with a trip to the Social Lounge? Also known as the “Games after Dark,” the lounge offered nightly entertainment in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh. Guests could mingle, make new friends, recount the day’s events—and even sing karaoke!
See photos from the event here.
Honoring the Gift of Life at the Donor Recognition Ceremony
By Pam Colvell-Gleason
More than 1,000 donor family members, transplant recipients, professionals and supporters attended the National Donor Recognition ceremony held Sunday at Heinz Hall. The emotion-filled ceremony honors the life and legacy of organ and tissue donors who gave the ultimate gift of life.
The ceremony began with a processional of hearts carried by pediatric transplant recipients Erin Brenner, Jared Burk, Samantha Scholl and Loren Woolery, and was led by bagpiper Isabel Stenzel Byrnes, a double lung recipient, performing Amazing Grace. Each of the large hearts was covered with small hearts created by the family and friends of deceased donors as a symbol of the life and love they shared with the donor they are honoring.
The audience listened as Ryan Helsel, cornea recipient shared his gratitude of the gift of vision because someone said yes to donation at the darkest moment of their life—giving light and hope to another. The ceremony was filled with musical performances by Katie Raybould, violinist and liver recipient, Julia Ann Scott, harpist and daughter of a kidney recipient, Bonnie Savine, vocalist and donor family member.
Donor families were led to the stage where each family was presented with a Gift of Life Donor Medal provided by the Gift of Life Donor Program, Philadelphia, PA. The medal symbolizes the passing of the precious gift of life and love from donor to recipient. Families also received a Star of Life made and provided by Marcie Becker, kidney and pancreas recipient.
The lights dimmed and the instrumental music of Tim Arnett began as families watched a big-screen photo tribute of those honored for giving the gift of life. Heinz Hall was emotionally charged and filled with tears as families saw their child, sibling, spouse, parent, grandparent, friend appearing on the large screen.
Families lit individual candles and the tribute concluded as Tim Arnett performed live, Remember Me, a song he wrote in honor of his niece, Jenna Mae, organ donor. The donor recognition ceremony is a reminder to all of us of the loving gift of donors and the family that supported the decision to donate.
See photos from the event here.
See photos from the event here.
