FAQ's

What are the U.S. Transplant Games?
The U.S. Transplant Games is a four-day athletic competition for recipients of organ transplants. Competition in the U.S. Transplant Games are open to anyone who has received a lifesaving solid organ transplant--heart, liver, kidney, lung, and pancreas. Bone marrow (excluding autologous) recipients are also eligible to participate. As much as the Games is an athletic event that calls attention to the success of organ and tissue transplantation, it is also a celebration of life among recipients, their families and friends.

When, where and why are there Transplant Games?
The 2002 U.S. Transplant Games will be held June 25-29, 2002 at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.

The purposes of the U.S. Transplant Games are:

• To demonstrate to the public the collective and individual successes of the life-restoring therapy of organ transplantation;
• To use the media to promote the success of organ donation and transplantation and to call attention to the need for organ and tissue donation through events and support activity before, during, and after the event;
• To contribute to the successful rehabilitation of the nation's transplant patient community;
• To involve the entire transplant community including physicians, allied professionals, patients, donor families and related organizations in a collaborative effort for the benefit of organ donation; and
• To provide an opportunity for these goals to be achieved locally by NKF Affiliates and other participating organizations.

What's at the Games for me?
Transplant recipients can participate as athletes and compete in up to four sporting events (see registration material for exceptions). Donor Families and Living Donors can register for the Giving, Grieving, Growing™ Program, which includes workshops and sharing sessions specifically designed for them and/or participate in the Quilt Pinning Ceremony and National Donor Family Council Executive Committee meeting. Athletes participating in the Games and registrants of the Giving, Grieving, Growing program are invited to march in the parade at Opening Ceremonies and participate in the Recipient and Donor Golf Outing. Transplant Professionals may register for the Transitions in Transplantation: A Continuum of Care, a unique program designed to focus on how transplant professionals assist recipients and donor families in dealing with life's changes. Attending this program will afford procurement professionals, bereavement specialist, transplant coordinators, transplant social workers and transplant dieticians the opportunity to improve their role in helping recipients and donor families face the changes in their lives, earn continuing education units and witness first-hand how organ donation and transplantation can positively impact the live of the individuals they care for. Athletes, donor family members, living donors, transplant professionals and spectators are all encouraged to attend Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the Donor Recognition Ceremony and participate in the nightly Coffee House, the 5K Dash For Donation and Kids' Time.

The Transplant Games is presented by the National Kidney Foundation. Does that mean I can only compete if I have a kidney transplant?
No. Recipients of any life-saving solid organ transplant may compete.

What is available for kids, athletes or not, to do during the day while parents are competing or no kid competitions are going on?
Parents should register their child for events the child wants to participate in. The events that are staged are dictated by the entries. Traditionally, events have been staged for children in Track and Field, Bowling and Swimming and more. Now that the Games are at Disney, more children than ever before are expected to be in attendance. There is no on-site registration for events at the Games, however, Kids' Time is scheduled on all three competition days so there is something for children to participate in every day. As for activities for children while parents are competing, there is no daycare available during at the Games. All children are welcomed to participate in Kids' Time but they must be accompanied by an adult. Parents may want to consider a "buddy system" with other team members and watch each other's children during their respective competitions.

My hospital would like to send a group of athletes to the Transplant Games. How do we register them?
All athletes registered for the U.S. Transplant Games compete as part of an official team. Check this site listing or call your local National Kidney Foundation Affiliate to find the team manager for your area. Only official U.S. Transplant Games teams will be recognized. Contact the official team manager for your area for registration and reservation information and to find out ways you can be part of the official team (volunteering, local team events, activities, fund-raisers, meetings, etc.).

I live in New York and I was transplanted in Maryland. which team do I register with?
U.S. Transplant Games teams are set up in National Kidney Foundation Affiliate areas. These affiliates provide programs and services to individuals who reside in their territories. In keeping with this structure, transplant athletes must be a part of the team where they reside, not where they were transplanted, since the NKF Affiliate in that area would provide assistance to the individual throughout the year. Individuals who will not be competing in the Games (spectators) and who are accompanying a transplant recipient competing in the Games may register with the athlete's team.

I am a Games spectator who lives in Florida, but I am accompanying an athlete who lives in Louisiana, which team do I register with?
Individuals who will not be competing in the Games (spectators) and who are accompanying a transplant recipient competing in the Games may register with the athlete's team.

How do I find the Official Team for my area?
You can find the official team for your area by contacting your local National Kidney Foundation Affiliate (check your local listings), call (800) 622-9010 or check our web site.

I heard about the U.S. Transplant Games at the World Transplant Games. May other countries participate?
Yes, individuals who live outside of the United States may attend the Games. International transplant recipients may register to compete in the Games, however medals will be earned in a separate division for international competitors.

I just received my transplant last week and heard about the Games. How do I go about registering for the Games?
Transplant recipients are eligible to compete in the Games when their transplanted organ has been functioning for at least six months. Individuals who have been transplanted for at least six months should contact team manager from their area for more competition information. Individuals who have not been transplanted for at least six months are welcome to join the local team and attend the Games as a spectator so that they can be a part of this reunion of recipients and celebration of life.

The Games are held over the course of 4 days. How do I determine my age category?
Your age category at the Games is determined by your age on the day of Opening Ceremonies.

My child is 2 years old. Is she too young to compete?
Transplant recipients of all ages participate in the Games.

What if I want to participate in a "doubles" event and do not have a partner?
You must indicate the name of your doubles partner on your registration form. Contact your team manager if you need assistance in finding a partner. Please note that both partners in a doubles event must be a part of the same team.

I want to play basketball (or volleyball, or team golf, or team bowling).
Individuals wanting to be considered for participation in these events should indicate this via their registration form. Your team manager will select individuals for these events from those who have shown interest via the registration form.

At what age is a registrant considered a child and at what age is the child admitted "free of charge"?
Individuals 17 and under are children. Children under 3 are free to the Games and at Disney Theme Parks.

I need help raising money to go to the Games. Where can I look get financial assistance?
Contact your team manager to find out what is available at the local level. You may be eligible grants, scholarships or financial assistance. Each team is handling fund raising, registration, reservations, etc differently.

Who do I contact with questions?
Questions should be directed to your team manager. They are abreast of the most current Games information and will able to keep you informed.

All photos courtesy of the National Kidney Foundation and Jay LaPrete.
© 2002 National Kidney Foundation
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