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General Information

2002 U.S. Transplant Games
Presented by the National Kidney Foundation
Hosted at Disney's Wide World of SportsTM Complex
Sponsored by NOVARTIS

About the Games
The U.S. Transplant Games are a four-day athletic competition, consisting of 12 sports and 41 events, for recipients of organ transplants--heart, liver, kidney, lung, and pancreas. Allogeneic bone marrow recipients are also eligible to participate. As much as the Games are athletic events that demonstrate the success of transplantation and call attention to the critical need for more donors, they also present the opportunity to honor our country's organ and tissue donors. The Games are a reunion and celebration of life among recipients, donors, donor families, and their families and friends. Transplant recipients who do not qualify to compete are encouraged to join the local team and attend the Games as spectators so they can be a part of this gathering of recipients.

Activities for the Non-Athlete
Transplant Recipients, Living Donors, Donor Families, Transplant Professionals, Families and Friends -- The Transplant Games has something for everyone!
Games Expo, including Educational SeminarsKids’ Time
Opening CeremoniesQuilt Pinning Ceremony
Welcome Dessert PartySocial Lounge
Giving, Grieving, Growing™ WorkshopsLiving Donor Recognition Event
Donor Recognition CeremonyCoffee House
Transitions in Transplantation ConferenceClosing Ceremonies
5K Race for Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness*Closing Barbecue
Volunteer Opportunities* 
Donor/Recipient Golf Outing Registration (PDF 191KB)

*If you are interested in the 5K Road Race, please visit the Road Race page at www.disneyworldsports.com For more information on volunteer opportunities with the 2002 U.S.Transplant Games, please e-mail wdw.sports.enthusiast@disney.com or visit the Sports Enthusiast page at www.disneyworldsports.com

About Our Site
Disney's Wide World of SportsTM Complex, part of the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, is the ultimate in athletic facilities. More than 500 sporting events have been held there since the complex opened in 1997. Eight venues, which host more than 30 different sport activities in pristine, spacious, state-of-the-art, professional-caliber facilities, are designed to exceed the expectations of every athlete, no matter what level. Within minutes of the Sports Complex are the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Theme Parks, including Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney-MGM Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. Special packages are available that combine an exciting exploration of the resort with the magic of the 2002 U.S. Transplant Games.

Official Teams & Team Representatives
Each participant in the Games is part of an official U.S. Transplant Games Team representing his or her state or region, which is managed by a local Team Manager. The Team Manager is the official Games representative in that area who has been designated as the authority on all Games matters relating to his or her team. The Team Manager is in constant contact with the event organizers and is able to assist you with any Games-related issues. In addition to Team Managers, Donor Family Liaisons (volunteer donor families from each local team) are also familiar with the event and will be able to answer donor family questions and lend a supportive ear. We encourage donor families to contact their area liaison prior to the event to be welcomed to the team and updated on donor family information.

Contact your Team Manager to learn about local team activities including meetings, special events, fund-raisers, grants and more. Note: Transplant athletes must participate as part of the team where they reside, not where they were transplanted.

Games Registration
Is now officially open. Some events reach their capacities quickly. Therefore, to guarantee the entry of your choice, it is strongly recommended that you send in your registration form as soon as possible. Simply complete the appropriate registration form ("Athlete" or "Non-Athlete") and mail it to your official Team Manager (see pages 21-23 for Team Manager listing). The national registration deadline is May 1, 2002. However, local team deadlines may be earlier, so check with your Team Manager. You do not need to make Games Housing and Entertainment Package reservations prior to registering OR register prior to making reservations.

Fees
All U.S. Transplant Games athletes pay a non-refundable and nontransferable registration fee of $60 to compete in the U.S. Transplant Games. Registration for all other Games registrants is free of charge. However, if you have not purchased a Games Exclusive Housing and Entertainment Package, there is a daily admission fee ($9.75 for adults and $7.50 for children) to enter Disney's Wide World of Sports™ Complex, where most competitions and other events are being held. Children under three are admitted free to the Games and to the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Theme Parks, including Disney's Wide World of Sports™ Complex (this excludes the athlete registration fee).

Games Packages
The Transplant Games Exclusive Housing and Entertainment Package includes 4-nights of resort accommodations at Disney's All-Star Resort or Four Points Sheraton Lakeside (hotel rooms arereserved on a first-come, first-served basis). Also included are a 2-Day Value® Ticket; admission to Disney's Wide World of Sports™ Complex and all other competition venues; admission to Opening and Closing Ceremonies and both parties following these ceremonies; and bus transportation between official Games hotels, all competition venues, and special event locations. Disney Sports Travel can also supplement packages based on individual needs and answer questions on package options. Check with your Team Manager to find out how you should make your reservations. Please note that 2- and 3-day theme park tickets and/or access to Games bus transportation are not available without a Games package. Individual tickets to the celebration parties following Opening and Closing ceremonies will be sold on-site, based on availability. Appropriate credentials and/or tickets will be required to access Games venues.

WALT DISNEY WORLD® Theme Park Ticket
The Transplant Games Exclusive Housing and Entertainment Package will include a 2-Day Value Ticket. This ticket entitles you to a choice of 2 of the following (none chosen more than once): 1 day of admission to the Magic Kingdom® Park, 1 day of admission to Epcot®, 1 day of admission to Disney-MGM Studios, or 1 day of admission to Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. You may also upgrade to a 3-Day or more Park Hopper® Ticket, giving you the freedom to visit multiple parks on the same day. Contact your Team Manager or Disney Sports Travel for upgrade costs.

Transportation
Bus transportation between official Games hotels (including Disney’s All-Star Resort and Four Points Sheraton Lakeside), all competition venues and special event locations is included in your Transplant Games Exclusive Housing and Entertainment Package. Transportation to and from the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Theme Parks is included in Disney's All-Star Resort package. However, this service is not provided in the Four Points Sheraton package.
Mears Motor Shuttle Coupon

Dining
Your official Transplant Games Exclusive Housing and Entertainment Package includes admission to the Welcome Dessert Party and the Closing Barbecue. All other meals and/or snacks are on your own. Concessions will be open and available. Athletes and those with other medical conditions may consider supplementing their meals by carrying drink boxes, fruit and other snacks. Meal coupons are available through Disney Sports Travel.

Questions/Problems? - If you have questions about or problems with your registration, please contact your Team Manager. Team Managers have the most current Games information and can keep you updated.




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