NKF | 2010 U.S. Transplant Games

Attention Games Attendees-Download your Daily Event Guide Here!

The 2010 National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games® (the Games) is nearly here!
Please read, print and bring this guide with you to the Games, which contains helpful information about the activities taking place during the week ahead. This information is subject to change, but is current as of July 27, 2010 and supersedes information printed in the souvenir program book. For updates, changes, or answers to any additional questions, ask your Team Manager, Donor Family Liaison, Local Team Host or come to the Games Information Desk (see location below). In addition, National Kidney Foundation representatives, wearing orange “Staff” polo shirts, will be around to assist you. Get the guide …

Batavia boy heads to games for third time

Like most 11-year-olds, Logan Carmick likes sports.
The Batavia youngster will compete in badminton, bicycling, ping-pong and softball during this week's 2010 National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games in Madison, Wis. Read More …

Cherwinski battles to compete in Transplant Games

GAYLORD — Before she received a lung transplant, Bev Cherwinski could barely make it through the day.
“I couldn’t stand long enough to cook dinner for my family, do the dishes, or push a shopping cart in the grocery store,” said the 66-year-old Vanderbilt resident who was suffering from emphysema. “My lung function was only 17 percent at the time.” Read More …

Wheelchair-bound Pittsburgher recovers, competes in games

It is difficult for people to grasp the concept of how precious life is. Many attempt to live their lives to the fullest every day, but are thwarted in their attempts and believe they can simply rediscover their dreams at a later time.
For some it takes a significant event in their lives to understand that life cannot be recaptured, and for many more, that point comes too late. Read More …

Hawaii transplant patients celebrate new life at games

There's a lot 71-year-old Herbert Endo has been able to do since his successful kidney transplant eight years ago.
He can walk, he can run. He still runs his family's electrical contracting business. He has an OK game of golf, albeit with a high handicap. He can knock back a glass of wine or a couple of beers now and then. Read More …

Hills kidney recipient tees up for Transplant Games

A trip to Madison, Wis., this coming week will have special meaning for Martha Stella, 21, of Farmington Hills.
She'll participate in her favorite sport of golf in the U.S. Transplant Games July 30 to Aug. 4, hosted by the National Kidney Foundation. Read More …

Immeasurable gift: A 2nd chance at life

On a recent sunny summer afternoon, the kind perfect for lingering at an outdoor lunch table, Dick Mueser sat at the Culver’s in McFarland and told his life — and near-death — story. Read More …

Second Chance: New Kidney and it's off to the races

32-Year old James Greene is running for his life--and the lives of other people who have had kidney transplants.
style="float:left; padding:4px;" / The former Stanford track standout noticed he vision becoming blurred so he went in for a checkup and at the age of 22- was told he needed a kidney transplant. Read More …

Portland swimmers headed to Transplant Games

Two Portland swimmers were training to make a splash at the National Kidney Foundation Transplant Games this weekend in Madison, Wisconsin.
Jennifer Rigert and Laura Ellsworth shared their stories of survival and success with KGW as they geared up for a practice swim.Read More …

Local organ transplant recipients go for gold

Hamilton and six other local transplant recipients will be competing for Team CNY in the 2010 National Kidney Foundation's US Transplant Games in Madison, Read More …

Kidney transplant has restored life

Dear Annie: When I was 16, the school nurse noticed I had high blood pressure, so my doctor proceeded to run some tests. He explained that high blood pressure can damage the kidneys and informed me that mine were only working at about 50 percent capacity. He told me a transplant would be necessary in the future.Read More …

These athletes are already winners

Athletes from all over the United States will gather next week in Wisconsin to compete for medals in a dozen sports, including track and field, swimming, basketball, tennis and golf.
These games, however, are a bit different from the Olympics or other championships. All of the athletes in the Wisconsin games have received lifesaving organ transplants. That means they have been given a kidney, bone marrow, pancreas, liver or even a heart from a donor. Read More …

People in Your N’Hood: Rainier Valley Golfer Headed to U.S. Transplant Games

After being diagnosed with lupus and undergoing a kidney transplant, Cathy Guy thought her days as a competitive athlete were well behind her.
Then came a phone call nearly two years ago. It was a college friend who also had undergone a kidney transplant. Read More …

Transplant recovery takes them back to tennis

Esther Vespa, 55, of Mt. Lebanon had played tennis a little as a young person, but didn't take up the sport seriously until 2005. Then she suffered a setback. In July of 2007, she was admitted to UPMC with acute liver failure. Read More …

She is still in the game

Patricia J. Scott, 56, Indianapolis, associate professor of occupational therapy, IUPUI
I was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis in 1983 in Florida when I was 30. It's like arthritis of the liver. The body creates antibodies against the liver, causing inflammation of liver cells.
Read More …

Wausau man trains for U.S. Transplant Games

A grandfather, who is a teenager at heart, trains for the U.S. Transplant Games.
Jim Porter of Wausau will head to Madison to compete with 1,500 athletes who've received organ transplants. Porter trains nearly six days a week for 5K and 20K cycling races.
Read More …

Transplant Donors And Recipients To Compete In National Games

'Team Connecticut" will take part in the U.S. Transplant Games in Wisconsin, a biennial Olympic-style competition for organ transplant recipients and living donors.
Twice a week, Jane Andrews climbs onto her gold bike for a 10-mile training ride.
Read More …

Heart recipient competes in games

HUNTLEY – Carissa Panek just graduated high school but already is a seasoned athlete.
This month marks the third year that the 18-year-old heart transplant recipient will be participating in the National Kidney Foundation’s U.S. Transplant Games. Read More …

The Voice Memo Project

My friend Greg who ran cross county in high school confirmed what I have already discovered about running— it’s mostly a mental discipline.
Read More …

To paraphrase Tony Bennett, I left my heart in Madison

Jim Mozingo of Gaithersburg is an athlete, and in 2006 he received a new piece of equipment — a kidney.

"I was extraordinarily lucky," Mozingo said. "I'm so thankful. It has enhanced and extended my life."
Read More …

Marathon Runner Makes a Difference Donating Kidney

Last February, Judy Payne of McLean, Virginia read an article in the Washington Post about kidney donation. At 59-years-old, Judy was a 12-time marathon runner who wanted to find ways to give back.
Read More …

Silver Medal

This weekend, I won a silver medal—for running a 5K! Imagine that.
It’s just another amazing and unexpected consequence of my journey as a living donor, and now as a living donor “athlete” training for the Transplant Games. Read More …

Small World

This summer I have a high school reunion. In anticipation of the event, I’ve been connecting with a number of past classmates on Facebook.
Read More …

Transplant recipients get new lease on life

Kathy Vilski believes she has someone to thank in Kenosha for saving her life nearly 40 years ago.
Although this person lost his life, it was the donor's kidney that gave her back hers. Read More …

Events bring together transplant recipients, organ donors' families

Doctors told Doug Rossberg he had about three weeks to live if he didn't undergo a lung transplant in 1999. Read More …

Scars

2008 was my first time at the Transplant Games as a living donor. I’m almost embarrassed to admit that I was looking forward to showing my scar at the opening ceremonies for the very first time. Read More …

More Blessed to Give

We had one of the best kidney support group meetings ever today. With 16 people in attendance, the group was large enough for a good showing, but small enough for everyone to talk and be heard. Read More …

Happy Mother’s Day

I got this voice mail from my recipient Dee this morning:
“I just called to wish you a happy Mother’s Day. Thank you for being a “mother” to me, and making it possible for me to enjoy this Mother’s Day. I love you very much and I wish you a wonderful day!” Read More …

Giving a Gift of Life

March 16, 2010

Donating a kidney to save the life of a complete stranger was an inspired action that Judy Payne, 59, of McLean, took after reading a newspaper article “about somebody else who had donated a kidney to somebody.

“I just started looking around the Web…and once I looked at the testimonials, then I started thinking maybe I could do this,” Payne said. Read More …

“The Call” Rings In New Year, New Life

February 20, 2010

Transplant… When you hear the word out loud – and it’s aimed, point blank, right at you, your life stands still … your heart skips a beat … and your mind races: How will this change my life, what is my future, if any? Read More …

Heart of a champion: transplant recipient to test his mettle

February 1, 2010

LAKE WYNONAH - Ron Boris Jr. has faced the trials of getting a heart transplant.

Now he's taking on another kind of physical challenge. Read More …

Performance-Enhancing Drugs

May 11, 2010

We sometimes joke that, unlike the Olympic Games, there is NO drug testing at the US Transplant Games. Of course, all of the transplant recipient athletes require an individualized regimen of immunosuppressant medications—the ultimate performance-enhancing drugs that make the miracle of transplantation a reality. Read More …

Olympic snowboarder, liver recipient, and U.S. Transplant Games spokesperson, Chris Klug made the U.S. team for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. The Winter Olympics will be held February 12th - 28th. Follow Chris on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/donordudes. Read more…

Freecycling, passing on something that is not needed to another who can use it without any financial exchange, is an apt metaphor for living kidney donation. Read more…

Living kidney donor encourages others to give the gift of life. Read more…

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