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More than 1,000 organ recipients and living donors will gather in Grand Rapids, Mich., Saturday to compete in Olympics-style games and celebrate their lives and honor those who gave them the gift of life.
The Transplant Games of America will host Opening Ceremonies designed not to show off the athletic prowess of participants, but rather set the tone of humility.
"[It is a] moving visual tribute to the families of those who have lost their lives and became organ donors, an honor to the living donors, a celebration of athletes whose lives were saved because of the selfless sacrifice of those willing to give them that second chance, and the very best place to celebrate the gift of life and the miracle of organ donation and transplantation," said Sharon Miller, team manager for the Utah Kidney Foundation.
Nineteen people will represent Utah and Idaho, some competing for the first time while others are long-timers.
• Ashton Arndt, a Sandy teenager, received a liver transplant from his mother when he was just 6 months old. He once told a classmate his scar was the result of a shark bite. This will be his fifth time competing.
• Terry Box, a Salt Lake City liver transplant physician at the University of Utah, found out several years ago he needed a transplant after a tumor invaded most of his liver.
• Rick Lilly, Layton, received a kidney from his father 14 years ago and will attend his third Games. He also has competed in the World Games in Australia and Sweden.
• Holly Moore, West Valley City, is the bone marrow and kidney donor to her sister, Stephanie Todd, also of West Valley City. They are attending for the first time to compete together in the 5K run and in the Donor Recipient Bowling.
• Riley Nelson, South Jordan, has the distinction of being the longest-competing team member. He is attending his ninth Games. He is 18, just graduated from high school and has had his heart transplant for 18 years. He will bowl, play basketball and compete in track and field events.
• Brayden Seymour, West Haven, received his liver as a baby, and is the team member who has had a transplant the longest at 24½ years. He will swim, bowl and compete in track and field events.
The other team members are:
• Steve Baldridge, Murray
• Brian Batt, West Valley City
• Joe Frazier, Oakley
• Robert Gent, a St. George native living in Arvada, Colo.
• Wes Hill, Salt Lake City
• Blake Krupa, Ammon, Idaho
• Stephen Merrill, Riverton
• Mike Miller, Midvale
• Barney Nelson, West Jordan
• Nate Norman, Smithfield
• Whitney Petersen, Omaha, Neb. (temporarily here as a student)
• Mykel Ramsey, West Haven
The Opening Ceremonies of the Transplant Games of America will be streamed live Saturday beginning at 5:15 p.m. Watch online at http://www.transplantgamesofamerica.org/opening-ceremony.
The Games will continue in Grand Rapids with Closing Ceremonies on Tuesday, streamed live at 5 p.m. at http://www.transplantgamesofamerica.org/closing-ceremony.
Transplant Games of America
When • July 28 to July 31 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Team Utah Idaho consists of 19 athletes
17 team members have received a life-saving organ
2 team members are living kidney donors
Events • 5K run, badminton, basketball, bowling, cycling, golf, racquetball, swimming, table tennis, tennis, track & field, volleyball
Major sponsors • Intermountain Donor Services, Intermountain Medical Center Transplant Services, National Kidney Foundation of Utah & Idaho, Primary Children's Medical Center Transplant Services, University of Utah Solid Organ Transplant Program and Veterans Affairs Hospital