The 2012 Transplant Games of America are a multisport event for those who have undergone lifesaving transplant surgeries or served as living donor -- and they are coming to our great city. Approximately 1,200 athletes from 46 states will participate in the games primarily held at Grand Valley State University’s Allendale campus July 28-31.
“The Transplant Games of America carry on a 22-year tradition, bringing athletes and donor family members together to celebrate and highlight the critical importance of organ donation,” says Bill Ryan, chairman of the Transplant Games of America.
Spectrum Health will serve as the presenting sponsor of the games and they couldn’t be happier. It will support their efforts to bring increased awareness to organ and tissue donation; one of their specialties. There are currently more than 112,000 individuals on waiting lists in the U.S. Hundreds of thousands of lives could be saved each year if more people registered as organ and tissue donors.
“Spectrum Health’s commitment to transplant services and organ donation, plus their role in bringing the games to West Michigan, is greatly appreciated,” says Ryan.
Spectrum Health is partnering with community, state and national organizations to run donor registry drives aimed at registering 20,000 or more new members by the end of the games. Their partners include the office of the Michigan Secretary of State, Gift of Life Michigan and Donate Life America.
According to Donate Life America:
• 113,115 total patients are waiting for organ donations
• 1,801 are pediatric patients
• In 2011, there were 28,535 organ transplants performed nationwide
• In 2011, there were 14,444 organ donors
“Spectrum Health’s participation in the Transplant Games is fitting on a professional and personal level,” says John Mosley, executive VP and chief strategy officer, Spectrum Health System. “My life was saved by a double organ transplant. While on the waiting list, all I wanted was a second chance at life. As a transplant center, Spectrum Health is giving the people of West Michigan greater possibilities for a new life. As the presenting sponsor of the Transplant Games of America, we encourage people to join the organ donor registry and to celebrate the athletes who are coming to compete here.”
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Source: Bill Ryan, Transplant Games of America; John Mosley, Spectrum Health System
Writer: Jennifer Wilson, Do Good Editor
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