What a Story!

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The story I wanted to tell you is about Joe Eitzel, the winner of the Youth Athlete of the Year.

Deven Shelton, a 6 year old from team St. Louis, was a competitor in the 50 meter race, boys 6-10 division.  Deven needed a walker to compete.  He is on the left with his dad.   Joe Eitzel, on the right,  is an amazing 10 year old boy who got to the finish line and stopped short.  His dad was on the other side of the finish line urging him to cross over.  Joe waited over a minute for Deven to cross the finish line and take the Bronze medal.  Joe and Deven are survivors of the same disorder of OTC (Ornathine Transcarbamylase Disorder). They met at the track In Madison 2010 and now they will have a special bond forever.  Everyone was in tears when his story was told as they announced the winner of the youth award.

The Transplant Games of America is a multi-sport festival event for athletes who have undergone life-­saving transplant surgeries and living donors. The purpose is to show the world that transplantation is a treatment that works.

The athletes, recipients who are 9 months out and living donors, participate in a number of sporting events, including:
             -5K run (open to the public)   -Badminton
             -Basketball                             -Bowling
             -Cycling                                  -Golf
             -Racquetball                           -Swimming
             -Table Tennis                         -Tennis
             -Track & Field                                    -Volleyball
Donor families and supporters also register for the games along with hundreds of other fans and spectators.

The Transplant Games of America also highlights the critical importance of organ and tissue donation.  As you all know, despite continuing advances in medicine and technology, the demand for organs greatly outpaces the supply of organs available for transplant.  

Team SoCal is open to athletes living in the OneLegacy and Lifesharing  service areas from Santa Barbara to Kern County and all the way south to the San Diego area.  If anyone wants to learn more about the games  and Team SoCal you can send an email to [email protected].  We hope to spread the word about what an amazing experience it is to attend the games and to grow Team SoCal.  We will be having get togethers and fundraisers over the next 2 years and we will all be training to be ready for the games in 2014.  The TGA plans to announce the location of the next games in October/November.  Rumor has it that Orange County wants to put in a bid to have the games there.  Wherever they are it is an experience you don't want to miss.

Debbie Morgan
Chairman/CEO
United Organ Transplant Association
3405 Arlington Ave.
Riverside, CA 92506
951-684-8870 ext. 11
951-276-4700 UOTA Office
951-785-5804 Home
951-684-3143 FAX
[email protected]