U.S. Games
- Heart Transplant Recipient Dan Smith Competes in 500M Swimming
- What These Games Are All About
- Identical Twin Sisters—and Transplant Recipients—Make a Splash in Swimming Competition
Heart Transplant Recipient Dan Smith Competes in 500M Swimming
Two and a half years ago Dan Smith waited for a heart to replace his own failing one. His family, loving wife Cathy and two sets of identical twin girls, waited and prayed as they worked to instill hope in the girls, ages 6 and 9, that dad would come back healthy and strong. With a new heart, Dan has become that answered prayer, returning to a new job, active in local support groups and eventually setting a goal of participating in the 2008 US Transplant Games. To prepare, he trained and completed a recent half-triathlon, and this week was thrilled to hear the cheers of his family in matching team shirts as he completed in the 500M swimming event!
One has to actually go through the transplant adventure to fully appreciate what that achievement really means. But take Dan’s words for it when he enthusiastically tells everyone how great a time he is having at the Games. Dan exemplifies the Games spirit of winning, understanding that every athlete here knows they have come back from the edge of death to compete at various levels of skill and ability to show the world that “transplantation works, and everyone should decide to say yes organ donation.”
See photos from the event here.
What These Games Are All About
By Jim Gleason
Many may recall those very special moments that stand out at the Games each time, like the scene of those small children years ago in the track and field event racing to the finish line. When they realized that one small child was left way behind, the sense of competition was replaced by friendship as they came to a stop before the finish line, went back to join the trailing runner and all cross the finish line together, holding hands as one.
Today, at the swimming event, the women's 50 meter Freestyle event had such a moment. With all seven lane swimmers at the pool end, attention turned to the single remaining swimmer in lane one, a blind competitor from Team Alabama, with a full lane yet to go. The spectators quickly realized what was going on and the sound level increased as everyone cheered her on.
One by one the other swimmer’s crossed over to lane two, forming a welcoming 10 foot line shouting their encouragement. The spectators rose, eyes filling with tears as that last swimmer fought the final yards, finally touching the finish wall. Cheering both from the fellow swimmers and audience rose to an even louder crescendo as she was helped out of the pool. Yes, there are amazing medal winners, but this is what the Games are all about. The winners in life showing the world what is possible, despite the adversity so many face. Congratulations all!
See photos from the event here.
Identical Twin Sisters—and Transplant Recipients—Make a Splash in Swimming Competition
By Jim Gleason
Through their own teamwork, and with the help of medical advances, identical twin sisters, Anabel Stenzel (“Ana”) and Isabel Stenzel Byrnes (“Isa”), are CF survivors (cystic fibrosis). Thanks to a double lung transplant, today they are enjoying a full and active life.
Dedicated to raising awareness for organ donation, the sisters teamed up to compete in swimming events at this year's Transplant Games for Team Northern California. Their smiling faces could be seen everywhere. "We have all been very close to death with severe illnesses affecting our organs. And then, with the gift of an organ donor, we have come back to life. That's why we keep coming to the games, to show the world the success of organ donation,” says Ana. Ana got a second lung transplant in 2007, just in time to launch a nationwide book tour, promoting their inspirational life story, The Power of Two, which many Games attendees had the chance to see at a table in the Exhibit Hall earlier this week.
See photos from the event here.
