Living Donors Give Transplant Games Athletes Second ChanceUS Transplant Games Being Held In Madison
Updated: 7:39 pm CDT August 2, 2010
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MADISON, Wis. -- Many athletes competing in the U.S. Transplant Games in Madison received organs from donors who died, but some recipients' donors are still living and they're using the games to show how much the gift of life means.
Organ transplant survivor Gerard Pehler received a kidney from his brother in 1983, giving him a new lease on life.
"I had a transplant over 26 years ago, and when I got it, it was like. 'What a way to tell my family and friends that I have a second chance at life,'" Pehler said.
Pehler said that by competing in the Transplant Games, he wants to prove something to his brother.
"It's a way to give back to what my brother gave me," Pehler said.
Pehler has been serving on the Oregon Police Department for 32 years and he has raised a daughter, Megan.
"Every day when I wake up, I tell my wife, tell my daughter, that if it wasn't for my brother I wouldn't be able to see you or have had my daughter. And I thank him and I thank God every day," Pehler said.
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While most transplant recipients get organs off the national deceased donor list, living donors can be even more crucial, especially to kidney patients, WISC-TV reported.
"The timing of the transplant can be done in a way that makes sense for the person that's waiting for the kidney. It can be done when their health is at its best," said Rebecca Hays, a transplant social worker.
Pehler's brother, Gerald, had a professional conflict that kept him from watching his brother compete and medal in the shot put, but Pehler said he has faith he can spread a message.
"To show everyone that I have a second chance, and if I can do that, give your kidney to someone else so they can have a second chance too," he said.
Living donors can also donate parts of the liver or bone marrow if they are a match for a recipient. Most often living donors give to a relative.
To learn more about becoming a living donor, people can visit livingdonors.org or the UW Transplant Clinic.
Monday was a big day for many at the Transplant Games. Former TV star and donor recipient Larry Hagman handed out medals to some of the winners in the track and field events.
"This is such a wonderful experience. And I just didn't expect to win but I did the best I could and I'm just so excited," said Carol Murome, who won a bronze medal.
This was Murome's first time competing in track. This winter, she will celebrate 40 years since her kidney transplant.
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