Athletes aim to inspire at Transplant Games in Alabama
The Transplant Games of America are officially underway in Birmingham. Athletes who’ve had their lives changed by organ, eye and tissue donation or transplantation are competing at the national level.>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Transplant Games in Birmingham about much more than competitionThe games last several days, giving competitors the opportunity to bond over shared experiences.”Our stories are all different, but in a way, we all share that commonality that we received an organ, or had a donor family or are related to an organ donation,” said ballroom dance competitor Heather Leverington Dotterer.She had a double lung transplant in 2016. After a year of recovery, she got into ballroom dancing with her husband, Anthony.She competed in her first Transplant Games back in 2018.”It’s great for stamina, and it’s a lot — it’s great exercise,” Dotterer said. “And you don’t even realize how much you’re putting into it.”Dotterer and her husband competed in the ballroom dancing category of the games Friday at the BJCC. She received an award for her performance.Much like the Dotterers, Kelly Moorman has worked hard to make it to the games.The virtual triathlete received a new kidney and pancreas. The gift of life, Moorman said, is top of mind during the games.”It was something that he chose to pass on,” Moorman said. “You know, the gift that keeps on giving.”>> THE LATEST: Headlines and weather from WVTM 13Moorman encourages others who have received transplants to live their lives to the fullest as well. Accomplishing goals, whatever they may be.”It doesn’t have to be doing a full triathlon, but you just get out, move,” Moorman said. “Even if it is wonky, get up and move.”Moorman said he wanted to motivate other transplant survivors to consider the gift they’ve been given and pass it on.”You were given a second chance, go ahead and make something of it,” Moorman said.These games are not just about bringing people together, but also sharing an important message.”If you’re not a donor, please sign up,” Dotterer said. “Please register today. You can make the difference in someone else’s life.”The Transplant Games of America continue through Wednesday, July 10. You can find a complete schedule of events here.>> FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
The Transplant Games of America are officially underway in Birmingham.
Athletes who’ve had their lives changed by organ, eye and tissue donation or transplantation are competing at the national level.
>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Transplant Games in Birmingham about much more than competition
The games last several days, giving competitors the opportunity to bond over shared experiences.
“Our stories are all different, but in a way, we all share that commonality that we received an organ, or had a donor family or are related to an organ donation,” said ballroom dance competitor Heather Leverington Dotterer.
She had a double lung transplant in 2016. After a year of recovery, she got into ballroom dancing with her husband, Anthony.
She competed in her first Transplant Games back in 2018.
“It’s great for stamina, and it’s a lot — it’s great exercise,” Dotterer said. “And you don’t even realize how much you’re putting into it.”
Dotterer and her husband competed in the ballroom dancing category of the games Friday at the BJCC. She received an award for her performance.
Much like the Dotterers, Kelly Moorman has worked hard to make it to the games.
The virtual triathlete received a new kidney and pancreas. The gift of life, Moorman said, is top of mind during the games.
“It was something that he chose to pass on,” Moorman said. “You know, the gift that keeps on giving.”
>> THE LATEST: Headlines and weather from WVTM 13
Moorman encourages others who have received transplants to live their lives to the fullest as well. Accomplishing goals, whatever they may be.
“It doesn’t have to be doing a full triathlon, but you just get out, move,” Moorman said. “Even if it is wonky, get up and move.”
Moorman said he wanted to motivate other transplant survivors to consider the gift they’ve been given and pass it on.
“You were given a second chance, go ahead and make something of it,” Moorman said.
These games are not just about bringing people together, but also sharing an important message.
“If you’re not a donor, please sign up,” Dotterer said. “Please register today. You can make the difference in someone else’s life.”
The Transplant Games of America continue through Wednesday, July 10. You can find a complete schedule of events here.
>> FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
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