Health & Fitness

Main Line Organ Recipients Compete At Transplant Games of America

A few organ recipients from the Main Line area joined numerous other recipients and donors at the 2018 Transplant Games of America in Utah.

A couple of Main Line residents were among more than 200 Philadelphia-area residents who either gave or received organ transplants that participated in Donate Life's 2018 Transplant Games of America in early August, and he brought home a medal.

More than 200 total attendees from the Philadelphia region, which includes Delaware, South Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania that represented our region when Team Philadelphia traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah.

Kevin Tighe of Malvern, got a lung transplant in 2016. He earned the gold in team golf.

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Michael Meshkov, of Villanova, received a kidney transplant in 1992. He competed in basketball and volleyball.

The Transplant Games were held August 2 through Aug. 7, celebrating the success of organ donation.

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Athletes competed in the Olympic-style competition, participating in sports such as track and field, swimming, basketball and more.

"It is so inspiring to see hundreds of people from our area and thousands from across the country come together to celebrate the success of organ donation and transplantation," said Howard M. Nathan, President & CEO of Gift of Life Donor Program. "There are so many incredible stories, and every one of those stories started the same way: with someone who selflessly said yes to donation. I am so grateful to our community for its outstanding record of generosity in donation, and so proud of the many athletes who participated this year."

The Transplant Games is a biennial celebration of life, featuring athletes who are living donors; organ transplant recipients; and bone marrow, corneal and tissue transplant recipients.

For more information or to register, they can Visit donors1.org. to learn more about organ donation and to register as an organ donor.

Gift of Life Donor Program is the non-profit, federally-designated organ procurement organization, serving 11.2 million people in this region.

Image via Shutterstock

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