After months of training, fund-raising and preparing for the journey, Team Illinois made it to Madison and is ready to collect medals. The National Kidney Foundation’s U.S. Transplant Games will officially kick off Saturday night with the opening ceremonies. According to our guest blogger and Team Illinois athlete Jen, the ceremonies are a moving experience “where you will truly see just how amazing the decision of donating life can be.” I’m sure the entire weekend will be nothing less than emotional as donor families, transplant recipients, living donors and their supporters and advocates gather to celebrate the life-saving gift of organ/tissue donation.
You can follow the Team and their experiences at the Games on Facebook.
Also, you can learn more about a few of the Team Illinois athletes from these recent articles:
Batavia Boy Heads to Games for Third Time
Sisters to compete at U.S. Transplant Games
A Second Chance at Life
Orland father and daughter prepare to dance at transplant games
Transplant Games – Video from WCIA News
Goooooo Team Illinois!
-Nick