The Transplant Games, the biggest celebration of life, are set to be held this weekend in Alabama. A contingent from the Philadelphia Gift of Life program is all set to participate in the event.
The objective of the Transplant Games is to raise awareness about the crucial need for organ donors and to commemorate the lives of those who have received life-saving transplants.
A participant hailing from Delaware has been selected to join the Philadelphia team as a competitor.
Returning to the place that gave her a second chance at life, Onyi Kenine is now back at Nemours Children’s Hospital.
Kenine reminisces, “I underwent a liver transplant at this very place when I was just 10 months old back in 2005.”
At present, she is 20 years old and currently interning at a hospital. Additionally, she is preparing to participate in the upcoming Transplant Games for the seventh time.
Kenine expressed her love for the competitive environment as it brings out a side of her that she doesn’t usually exhibit.
Kenine is set to participate in various track and field events, as well as basketball, tennis, and darts competitions.
According to Todd Franzen from the Gift of Life, the Transplant Games provide an excellent platform to showcase the triumphs of organ donation and transplantation, as well as to emphasize the importance of more individuals consenting to it.
According to Franzen, the Transplant Games is an event that unites organ recipients, donors, and donor families from various regions of the country to compete in Alabama this year.
Franzen confirmed that a total of 46 athletes have been selected to represent the team in 20 different sports.
In track and field, Kenine has been chosen to lead the Philadelphia team as their captain.
Kenine expressed her pleasure in seeing individuals who understand what she goes through, stating, “It’s just really nice to see everyone who knows what it’s like.”
In the world of organ transplants, a unique form of bonding takes place, as stated by the speaker.
Kenine expressed her excitement and comfort in knowing that there are people who understand the same struggles that she has been through. She also mentioned that learning how others have overcome these challenges is inspiring.
Kenine is all about achieving excellence.
Grateful for her second chance at life, she is currently pursuing biochemistry in college.
According to Kenine, it’s important to never give up and to keep pushing forward. He advises that one should never say “never” because there is always a glimmer of hope and positivity at the end of the tunnel.
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Gift of Life is synchronizing this year’s Transplant Games with the event. The organization has set its sights on registering 50,000 organ donors to commemorate the occasion.