Darien Resident to Compete in Transplant Games of America

53 athletes from Illinois will compete in the 2016 Donate Life Transplant Games of America (TGA), June 10-16, in Cleveland, Ohio. More than 6,000 people are expected to attend the five-day sports festival and celebration of the lifesaving gifts of transplantation. One of these athletes is Susan English of Darien.

Going to college proved almost fatal for Susan English of Darien. As a freshman, she became ill with elevated liver enzymes and lost 40 pounds. Sahe recovered, but years later, she was diagnosed with giant cell hepatitis, which had caused some cirrhosis of her liver. Over the next 20 years, English battled moderate hepatic encephalothopy, suffered a spontaneous splenic artery aneurism, endured extended stays in the hospital and rehabilitative care. She was put on the national wait list in October 2010. Finally in August 2013, English received her third and successful liver offer and received her transplant at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Today, English heads up the Organ Transplant Support Group. She is healthy and excited to participate in the 2016 Transplant Games, English will swim and participate in trivia for the first time for Team Illinois.

Team Illinois is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that brings together transplant recipients, living donors, donor families, and their family and friends to promote awareness of the critical need for organ, eye, bone marrow and tissue donations and increase the number of potential donors on the state registry. Through participation in the Donate Life Transplant Games of America, we can show the world that transplantation saves and enhances the lives of recipients while commemorating those who selflessly gave the gift of life. For more information on Team Illinois, visit www.goteamillinois.org. To discover the Donate Life Transplant Games of America, go to www.transplantgamesofamerica.org.