U.S. Games
- Torch Run Makes its Way to Pittsburgh
- Torch Run for Life Celebrates the 2008 U.S. Transplant Games in Pittsburgh
Torch Run Makes its Way to Pittsburgh
By Lora Wilson
Saturday, July 12, 2008 — Today in Pittsburgh, transplant recipients and a donor dad carried the torch into town for the Games. The Donate Life PA torch run started nearly a month ago in Scranton PA. The torch passed through eight other Pennsylvania cities before arriving today at its final destination for the NKF US Transplant Games.
Frank Holby, who along with his wife Judy is the Team Pittsburgh Donor Liaison, was honored to be a torch runner. He spoke about the couple's daughter Michelle who inexplicably collapsed during gym class more than 20 years ago.
When faced with the news that their beloved daughter was brain dead, the Holbys made a courageous decision. They decided that Michelle was not the sum of her parts. They consented to donate life so that none of Michelle's healthy, living parts would be buried in the ground instead of being used to help others. Frank described this as an “opportunity.” They transformed their personal tragedy into hope and health for the families of five patients who received Michelle's liver, kidneys, heart and corneas.
The torch run highlighted the success of transplantation and encouraged more Pennsylvanians to register as organ and tissue donors by offering onsite donor registration. The run was a joint effort sponsored by the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) in western PA, the Gift of Life Donor Program in eastern PA, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
See photos from the Torch Run.
Torch Run for Life Celebrates the 2008 U.S. Transplant Games in Pittsburgh
Friday, July 11, 2008 — This year, for the first time, the National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games in Pittsburgh had its own torch run. The torched traveled to small towns, large cities and every nook and cranny of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
A joint effort of the Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE), Gift of Life Donor Program and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the Torch Run for Life highlighted the success of transplantation and encouraged everyone to register as organ and tissue donors. The torchbearers were organ donor families and transplant athletes lighting the way.
After making its way through Scranton, Reading, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Johnstown, Altoona, and Erie, the torch arrived in Pittsburgh with its flame burning brightly to signify the official beginning of the Games.
See photos from the Torch Run.
