This weekend, Alabama will play host to the Transplant Games, the biggest celebration of life in the world. The Philadelphia Gift of Life program will be well-represented at the event, joining a large group of participants.
The objective of the Transplant Games is to raise awareness about the urgent need for more organ donors and to commemorate the lives of those who have received life-saving transplants.
A member of the Philadelphia team hails from Delaware and will be competing.
Returning to the place that saved her life, Onyi Kenine is once again at Nemours Children’s Hospital.
Kenine shared that the liver transplant was performed at this location when she was just 10 months old back in 2005.
At only 20 years old, she is currently interning at a hospital and preparing to compete for the 7th time in the upcoming Transplant Games.
Kenine expressed that the competitive environment brings out a different side of their personality that is not typically visible. “I love the challenge and the drive it ignites within me,” they added.
Kenine has a packed schedule ahead, competing in various track and field events, as well as basketball, tennis, and darts.
According to Todd Franzen, spokesperson for the Gift of Life, the Transplant Games provide an incredible platform to showcase the triumph of organ donation and transplantation. It also highlights the urgent need for more people to pledge their support for this cause.
According to Franzen, the Transplant Games are a gathering of individuals who have undergone organ transplantation, along with donors and their families, who have come from different parts of the country to compete in Alabama this year.
According to Franzen, a total of 46 athletes will participate in 20 different sports.
In track and field, Kenine has been appointed as the captain of the Philadelphia team.
Kenine expressed her appreciation for being in the company of those who can relate to her experiences, stating, “It’s just really nice to see everyone who knows what it’s like.”
In the world of transplants, a unique kind of bonding takes place, according to her.
Kenine expressed her enthusiasm and relief knowing that there are people who can relate to the challenges she has faced. “It’s really exciting and comforting to know people understand the same struggles that you’ve been through and just learning how everyone has overcome them,” she shared.
Kenine strives for excellence in everything she does.
In college, she is pursuing a degree in biochemistry, cherishing the opportunity to live her life to the fullest.
According to Kenine, it’s important to never say “never” and to always keep moving forward. He believes that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, and encourages others to push through difficult times.
To commemorate Gift of Life’s 50th anniversary, this year’s Transplant Games will take place. The organization has set an ambitious goal of enlisting 50,000 organ donors to celebrate this significant milestone.
