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Donor families, those with a family member or friend who donated organs or tissues after their death, are invited to the Games for an inspiring and supportive program. Donor families can cheer on the transplant athletes and see first–hand how their loved one’s donation has changed lives. In addition, there are many special activities and events for families to share with one another, find support and understanding, and honor your loved one in creative ways. Donor family volunteers will be available to help you find your way and answer any questions.
Each participant in the Games is part of an official NKF U.S. Transplant Games® Team representing his or her state or region, which is organized by a local Team Manager. Games team members are categorized as Primary or Support Members. Donor families are primary team members.
In addition to events and activities admission, all primary team members are invited to march in the Opening Ceremony procession with their local team. Prior to the Games, primary team members may also fund raise to help offset costs associated with their trip. For more information, please contact your local Team Manager.
“I have never felt such an outpouring of love from the recipients thanking us perfect strangers for our gift.”
- Sheila Baxter, TEAM UTAH & IDAHO, Donor Family
The Hilton Madison will be the official donor family headquarters hotel. It is adjacent to the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, where most of the donor family Games events will take place.
The Transplant Games can be a very emotional experience, and as a donor family member, you may need some extra support or just the knowledge that there is a friendly donor family member at the Games, waiting to greet you. A Donor Family Liaison (DFL) is a donor family member who is available to provide support and information about the Games.
In addition to DFLs from around the country, four DFL Mentors will provide additional support for donor families attending the 2010 NKF U.S. Transplant Games. Visit the Donor Family Liaisons and Mentors page to find contact information for someone in your area.
This is a great way for first-time Games attendees to learn more about what to expect during the next few days. Even if you’ve been to the Games before, please consider joining us to meet other donor families and support the newcomers.
Donor families will hold a special place of honor at the Opening Ceremony and will march in as a group after the Transplant Recipient Athletes enter by team and all of the Living Donors enter as a group.
The Donor Family Hospitality Suite will be available throughout the Games. Donor families can visit the Hospitality Suite to meet other families in a supportive and safe place, share with one another or take a break from Games activities.
Learn more about organ and tissue donation and coping with loss, share with other families, and create unique memorials honoring a loved one. For workshop and sharing sessions descriptions click here.
The Donor Recognition Ceremony is a chance to honor deceased donors and their families. Organ and tissue transplant recipients will share reflections on how transplantation changed their lives. The Ceremony will feature inspiring performances about the gift of life, a video of donors and more.
Donor families who are attending the Donor Recognition Ceremony can send a photo of their loved one for the video to be shown at the Donor Recognition Ceremony. All photos must be received by June 1, 2010:
Donor families attending the Games are invited to write a tribute in honor of their loved one for the 2010 U.S. Transplant Games Program Journal. All tributes must be received by June 1, 2010.
How to send a Tribute:
Patches of Love: The National Donor Family Quilt commemorates deceased organ and tissue donors. The entire Quilt will be displayed at Monona Terrace during the Games, which is one of the few times the Quilt comes together in its entirety. Everyone is invited to the Quilt Pinning to see new quilt squares added to Patches of Love, The National Donor Family Quilt. As each new Quilt patch is “pinned” to the Quilt, donor family members will have an opportunity to share a few words about the meaning of their Quilt patch. The Quilt is an opportunity to honor deceased donors. Participants are encouraged to “come and go” as needed.
Please note that only one Quilt patch can be created per donor. Families who want to create a Quilt patch should request the NKF Quilt brochure for instructions and ideas. Learn more about the National Donor Family Quilt at: http://www.kidney.org/transplantation/donorFamilies/quilt.cfm.
This workshop is for donor families who want to make a Quilt square for The National Donor Family Quilt but aren’t sure how to get started. No quilting experience is necessary! You’ll leave with lots of ideas, tips and tricks so that your family can make a Quilt square when you return home. For more information about the National Donor Family Quilt, visit: http://www.kidney.org/transplantation/donorfamilies/quilt.cfm
Donor families who want to make a Quilt square DURING the Games will be able to meet with experienced quilters and donor family members in the Hospitality Suite at Monona Terrace (dates/times to be determined) for assistance in designing and sewing your “Patch of Love”!
The Coffeehouse is an open–mic forum for donor families, living donors, recipients and professionals to share a few words about their experiences. Participants can relax over dessert and coffee and share personal thoughts, stories, poems, songs or other creative expressions. Donor families are invited to share something about their loved one’s life and legacy. Participants are encouraged to “come and go” as needed.
Walk, jog or run! Join us at your own pace, in the name of organ & tissue donation at the 5K Race for Organ, Eye & Tissue Donation Awareness, a road race for transplant recipients, family members, friends, transplant professionals, living donors, donor families and the local community. There is a separate registration and fee for Games’ non–athletes and the public who wish to participate in this event.
FORE! Open to all Games registrants, the Donor–Recipient Golf Outing is a friendly game of golf that involves all members from the transplant community. Prizes will be awarded for Best Ball, Longest Drive and more! Lunch included. There is a separate registration and fee for Games’ registrants who wish to participate in this event.
The MTF DonorCARE Awards are presented to a donation professional or organization in recognition of excellence in the care and support of families who donated their loved one’s organs and/or tissues.
