Madison Chosen For 2010 U.S. Transplant Games
7,000 Visitors Expected With Games
Updated: 9:13 am CDT July 16, 2008
MADISON, Wis. -- Madison has been chosen as the next U.S. city to host the U.S. Transplant Games in 2010.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe announcement came on Tuesday night at the closing ceremonies of the 2008 games in Pittsburgh, Pa.According to a news release, the National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games is a national athletic event for individuals who have received a life-sustaining organ transplant.The games shed light on the success of organ transplants and the need for more organ donors.Officials estimate that 7,000 visitors will attend the 2010 games, including more than 1,500 athletes.Components of the Games include 14 athletic competitions, a professional conference for transplant health care professionals, living donor activities, donor family activities and Opening and Closing ceremonies.Jan Jankowski, who works at U.W. Hospital, has participated in the Games for 18 years.Diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at age 19, Jankowski underwent a kidney and pancreas transplant in 1986.By 1992, he was training to compete in the Games with Team Wisconsin."I just got involved in the games with a lot of the other transplant recipients because of our gift of life," said Jankowski. "We can show people that we have returned to quite a very normal life."Jankowski said that by participating, recipients are showing the world they are not frail, but rather vibrant and strong."These folks can do just anything, anything we set our minds to," said Jankowski.Jankowski himself fought back to recover after a serious cycling spill broke his neck."These games are quite a tribute to that, some of the things I've seen these people do," said Jankowski.But the man who has battled his health nearly all of his life said he is most inspired by the donor families who attend the Games.He said their role has steadily increased over the years."One of the most gratifying things that I've encountered over the years at these Games is meeting all of the donor families," said Jankowski. "That is a blessing."Jankowski reluctantly took 2008 off – doctors' orders. He is awaiting another kidney transplant.But he plans to cycle in the Madison Games in 2010"Madison is very lucky, very lucky and I know we'll do a great job," Jankowski said."The state of Wisconsin has long been recognized as a leader in the field of organ donation and transplantation," said Krista Flanagan, vice president of sales and marketing with the Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We are very honored to be chosen to host this prestigious event and look forward to welcoming transplant recipients, donor families and living donors from across the nation to Madison in the summer of 2010."In mid-August, officials from the National Kidney Foundation will be in Madison to make the formal announcement.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe announcement came on Tuesday night at the closing ceremonies of the 2008 games in Pittsburgh, Pa.According to a news release, the National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games is a national athletic event for individuals who have received a life-sustaining organ transplant.The games shed light on the success of organ transplants and the need for more organ donors.Officials estimate that 7,000 visitors will attend the 2010 games, including more than 1,500 athletes.Components of the Games include 14 athletic competitions, a professional conference for transplant health care professionals, living donor activities, donor family activities and Opening and Closing ceremonies.Jan Jankowski, who works at U.W. Hospital, has participated in the Games for 18 years.Diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at age 19, Jankowski underwent a kidney and pancreas transplant in 1986.By 1992, he was training to compete in the Games with Team Wisconsin."I just got involved in the games with a lot of the other transplant recipients because of our gift of life," said Jankowski. "We can show people that we have returned to quite a very normal life."Jankowski said that by participating, recipients are showing the world they are not frail, but rather vibrant and strong."These folks can do just anything, anything we set our minds to," said Jankowski.Jankowski himself fought back to recover after a serious cycling spill broke his neck."These games are quite a tribute to that, some of the things I've seen these people do," said Jankowski.But the man who has battled his health nearly all of his life said he is most inspired by the donor families who attend the Games.He said their role has steadily increased over the years."One of the most gratifying things that I've encountered over the years at these Games is meeting all of the donor families," said Jankowski. "That is a blessing."Jankowski reluctantly took 2008 off – doctors' orders. He is awaiting another kidney transplant.But he plans to cycle in the Madison Games in 2010"Madison is very lucky, very lucky and I know we'll do a great job," Jankowski said."The state of Wisconsin has long been recognized as a leader in the field of organ donation and transplantation," said Krista Flanagan, vice president of sales and marketing with the Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We are very honored to be chosen to host this prestigious event and look forward to welcoming transplant recipients, donor families and living donors from across the nation to Madison in the summer of 2010."In mid-August, officials from the National Kidney Foundation will be in Madison to make the formal announcement.Find out how Team Wisconsin did during the 2008 Games
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