U.S. Games
- Thousands Gather to Learn and Share at the National Kidney Foundation 2008 U.S. Transplant Games Expo
- Attendees Participate in Fun and Educational Games Expo
Thousands Gather to Learn and Share at the National Kidney Foundation 2008 U.S. Transplant Games Expo
By Andrea Disario
As transplant athletes, donors, spectators and sponsors converged on the D.L. Convention Center in Pittsburgh for the Transplant Games Expo, the cavernous hall was abuzz with the snapping of photos, the sharing of stories and the exchange of ideas. Transplant Games participants make the trip to the Convention Center to register with their teams and to experience and learn all the Transplant Games Expo offers, through this unusual gathering of Transplant Athletes, Donor Families, healthcare workers and sponsors.
From the ballooned arches pointing the way to the displays at the Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation booth, the Games Title and Founding Sponsor, to the colorful photo presentation accompanying the Bristol-Meyers Squibb exhibit, to the active make a sign happening at the Wyeth booth and the comprehensive overview of UPMC expertise in transplantation, the Expo offers a wide overview of the world of transplantation while supplying some useful promotional materials from seat cushions to ornaments.
The Creative Expression of Transplantation booth showcased the books, poems and photography of several transplant athletes and hoped to encourage other transplant recipients to find ways of coping and celebrating their transplant experience through poetry, writing memoirs and speaking. The National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry (NTPR) was there to educate recipients about pregnancy following transplant, while Coco Cola gave away soft drinks and water. And there's always something new at each of these Games gatherings. This year parents of athletic children interested in continuing to play contact sports, now have Zoombang, custom-made protective wear for their children.
See photos from the Games Expo.
Attendees Participate in Fun and Educational Games Expo
By Ashleigh Chicko
The buzz could be felt as soon as you walked into the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh where transplant “teams” from across the country gathered in their matching shirts to kick off a gorgeous day at the Games Expo.
In addition to the more than 50 booths of sponsors and those hoping to raise awareness about organ donation, star-struck fans waited in line for an autographed “Hagman Dollar” and a picture with daredevil “Dallas” star, Larry Hagman.
Switching pace from the usual drug-rep booths and informational pamphleteers, I was brought to Will Smith, not the popular actor, yet a celebrity in his own life. Smith was a personal trainer who received a kidney from one of his clients, and now distributes WillPower4Life supplements, showing that anyone can make a full recovery. Smith handed out raffle tickets with an opportunity to win a personal training session with him, (once he flies to your house, of course) including instructional workouts, supplements and a customized meal plan.
Attendees also enjoyed free giveaways such as the “Donate Life” fans with their light blue and lime-green eye-catching colors.
The Camp Bridges booth explained how it was created to be a place where kids could get away, yet stay close at the same time. The Alabama-based camp is led by an all-volunteer staff and provides for children of all ages who received or donated organs. The camp is a touching way for kids to relate and learn that there is always hope.
For all of the donor recipient athletes, Zoombang brought something to the table to protect their precious parts. A revolutionary puddy, divided into capsules and replaced with the padding found in the protective gear of professional athletes. “The specially engineered polymer is soft and pliable at rest, but instantly stiffens on impact- absorbing the energy of the shock!” Zoombang also works specially with transplant patients to place the pads in the most beneficial areas to protect the specific needs of each patient.
Other transplant-friendly booths included CellCept For Life, handing out compactable water bottles with built-in pill compartments at the bottom, Donor Dudes, spreading the word to high school and college students about the importance of donation, and The Creative Expression and Transplantation group, who encourages patients to put their feelings into words and color.
A few feet over, stands the booth of the Greek sorority Phi Sigma Sigma, donating time and money to the Kidney Foundation for over 40 years. The girls, many of whom were nowhere close to home, made donors, recipients and spectators feel warmly welcomed. One of the girls had received a kidney from her father. Both of them joined the group at the expo.
The feeling of camaraderie lasted throughout the day. Although many booths were filled with people from out-of -state, there were plenty of smiling Steel city volunteers ready and awaiting questions or comments from the spirited commuters.
See photos from the Games Expo.
