http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/07/grand_rapids_transplant_games.html Published: Wednesday, July 18, 2012, 7:55 PM
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A life-changing phone call in January forced award-winning local chef and motivational speaker Oliver Hale to change his plans about participating in the 2012 Transplant Games of America being hosted on the campus of Grand Valley State University on July 28-31.
He had been looking forward to taking part in the Olympic-style sports festival for U.S. transplant recipients and adding to his impressive medal haul – 14 gold, seven silver and three bronze -- from seven previous appearances in the World Transplant Games and 10 prior trips to the U.S. Transplant Games from 1987-2006.
Instead, he had a second and much-needed kidney transplant at Saint Mary’s Hospital, providing him with a new lease on a life that already has been filled with a stunning list of accomplishments.
“I really wanted to be part of the Transplant Games here,” said Hale, who twice has been voted by Grand Rapids Magazine as the best chef in town. “I just had another kidney transplant in January, and the rule is you can’t compete for nine months after getting a transplant. So, I decided I’d find another way to be part of things.”
Hale, 59, who is better known as Chef O, is putting his culinary expertise to use as the catering consultant for the anticipated 1,000 transplant recipients and 1,500 donor families and supporters who’ll be part of the inaugural Transplant Games of America.
“I’m in charge of catering and making sure people have places to eat,” Hale said. “You’re on a strict diet if you’ve had an organ transplant. You need to take care of yourself and make sure your body doesn’t reject the transplant, so there are things you can and can’t do.”
Hale, named top chef in 2004 and '05 during his tenure at Noto's Old World Italian Dining in Cascade, understands those lessons all too well.
He was an accomplished player on local tennis scene in Toledo in the 1980s and had just won a USTA-sanctioned doubles event in Columbus, Ohio, in July of 1983 when his kidneys began to fail.
“I had just won a tournament and two weeks later I was laying flat on my back in a hospital suffering from kidney failure,” he recalled.
Hale turned to competing in the Transplant Games after getting his first kidney transplant. He has traveled to Singapore, the United Kingdom, Austria, Hungary, Australia and Canada and won medals on the tennis court, as a sprinter in track and field and even as a fencer.
“I used to jump up on tables when I was a kid and pretend that I was Zorro,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve been all around the world competing in the Transplant Games and I’ve made a lot of great friends.”
His first transplant Jan. 29, 1985, forever changed his outlook on life.
He started to experience kidney failure again on Dec, 7, 2007, and underwent four years of dialysis treatments to keep himself alive before getting the call earlier this year for his second transplant.
“He’s a huge inspiration,” said Simie Bredeweg, manager of the Saint Mary’s Health Care kidney transplant program, which is a proud sponsor of the Transplant Games. “He is really an amazing guy.
“Chef O is an example of someone who never gives up. He continues to fight. He’s a huge role model for transplant recipients. We want to help promote organ donation because there are a lot of people still on the waiting list,” she added.
Hale is targeting a return to action representing the U.S. in doubles tennis in the World Transplant Games in South Africa next year.
“My energy level is unreal since the last transplant,” Hale said. “I know a lot of the tennis players are glad I’m not playing this year.”
He’ll watch the sports festival here with a huge smile.
It has been re-branded and relocated to West Michigan following the National Kidney Foundation’s decision to cancel the U.S. Transplant Games in May 2011 due to economic factors after a successful 20-year run.
The Transplant Games of America is run by the West Michigan Sports Commission and features opening ceremonies at Van Andel Arena and closing ceremonies at DeVos Performance Hall.
Athletes will compete in the following events: a 5K run, badminton, basketball, cycling, golf, swimming, table tennis, tennis, track and field and volleyball on the GVSU campus. In addition, bowling and racquetball are being conducted at nearby sites.
The estimated local economic impact of the Transplant Games is expected to be $1 million, sports commission officials said.
Saint Mary’s Health Care is staging a public rally Saturday, July 29, at Rosa Parks Circle from 3-4 p.m. to raise awareness of kidney transplants.
Hale hopes the Transplant Games become a permanent fixture in Grand Rapids and helps spread the awareness for organ donation.
“I am indebted to my donor families,” Hale said. “Someone had to die and some family had to grieve for a loved one to make my life what it has been. I would like to be a part of increasing the number of organ donors in Michigan. You don’t hear enough about it.
“I owe it all to my donor families.”
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