Press Release
Field of Dreams for Athletes with Spare Parts
June 16, 2006 --They haven’t yet hit the court or track, but already this group of athletes has performed death-defying feats. They all carry an inner trophy --a new organ that qualifies them for the dream team in the game of life. Their ultimate trial will kick off this week at the National Kidney Foundation’s 2006 U.S. Transplant Games – a field of dreams for athletes with spare parts.
The Games, which are being held today through Tuesday, are an Olympic-style event for athletes who have received life-saving organ transplants of every type -- kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas and bone marrow. More than 1,200 transplant athletes will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals in 12 different sports including track and field, swimming, tennis, basketball, cycling and golf. Presented biennially by the National Kidney Foundation since 1990 and sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, the U.S. Transplant Games draw participants from all over the country who are organized into 50 state teams.
“More than 91,000 Americans are currently on the waiting list for life-saving organ transplants and ten people die each day while waiting. The Transplant Games showcase the success of transplantation, demonstrating the life-saving power of organ donation,” says John Davis, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation.
“We hope our spirited competition will slam home the message that every American should consider becoming an organ donor,” says Davis.
With 7,000 participants, transplant athletes, their families and friends and families of organ donors, attendance at the National Kidney Foundation 2006 U.S. Transplant Games will surpass the record-breaking participation in the 2004 Games.
Athlete participants range in age from three to 84. In addition to athletic competition, the Games will feature four days of special workshops for donor families and living donors. A 5K Road Race, open to the Louisville community, will be held on Saturday, June 17.
The National Kidney Foundation is dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation.
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, proud sponsor of the 2006 Games, has supported the event since 1990. A committed partner to the transplant community, Novartis is dedicated to enhancing therapeutic options, quality of life and the long term success of therapy for transplant recipients.
For more information on the Games or to purchase a green Donate Life charity bracelet, visit www.transplantgames.org. Bracelets are $2.00 each and proceeds support the Transplant Games athletes. To learn more about organ donation or to receive a free organ donor card contact the National Kidney Foundation at (800) 622-9010 or visit www.kidney.org.
CONTACT: Ellie Schlam / Eric Davis
ON-SITE PRESS ROOM: (502) 815-6701 or (502) 815-6702
MOBILE : (516) 286-4035 / (612)202-9407
EMAIL: ellies@kidney.org / eric@habermaninc.com
