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National Kidney Foundation

2004 Games Highlights - Ceremonies

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Opening Ceremonies: Seasons of Love…Seasons of Life
Eric Davis
 

How does one truly illustrate the circle of life—the journey we take from our births to our deaths? How can you show to others the lives you have changed and, likewise, the souls that have changed you?

At the Opening Ceremonies of the 2004 U.S. Transplant Games, the National Kidney Foundation turned to the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe to do just that. The area's tribe of Native Americans performed in music, dance and song the never-ending cycle of life, death and rebirth, reminding everyone that we are free to celebrate the joy of being alive in the moment.

More than 7,000 transplant recipients, organ donors and family members took part in the ceremonies. Beyond this unforgettable performance, with the tribe’s drumbeats and chants echoing brilliantly throughout the massive Metrodome, in attendance were the important individuals who helped bring us to that night. Among them were Dr. Joseph Murray, who 50 years ago this year, became the first-ever surgeon to perform a successful organ transplant and Ronald Herrick, who bravely donated his kidney to his twin brother Richard in that first procedure.

With more than 400,000 lives saved and millions of others positively impacted by the trails that Dr. Murray and Mr. Herrick blazed half a century ago, one might have found it impossible to provide the thanks they so richly deserved, but those in attendance did their best, providing multiple standing ovations as they took to the stage to mark the anniversary and to light the Games’ torch.

In addition, we were treated to presentations by and celebrations of other pioneering transplant surgeons, donors and recipients whose courage and vision through transplantation have led us to where we are today. Each served as a reminder that, while life may be a journey through the seasons, Spring is always somewhere around the corner, bringing with it an opportunity for life anew.