They are able to work, have a family or just simply enjoy walking. Organ donation and transplantation improves the quality of life. Such is the purpose of the United States Transplant Games. This is an Olympic style event for people who have received an organ or tissue transplant. These athletes compete in several sporting events. The ultimate purpose of the games is to prove to the public that there is improved life after transplantation and to inspire others to consent to organ donation. (National Kidney Foundation Pamphlet) .
Young Tiffanie Cates received a kidney from her mother. She said, "We act like it's no big deal, even though it's a pretty much the biggest deal ever. It's like a gift I get every day." (National Geographic 19) Closer to me and on a personal basis, is the story of my great uncle, Kemp Nall. Diagnosed with childhood nephrosis at the age of three, he battled all the typical complications and fought off death several times. My grandmother, Dian Taylor, remembers life then as scary. She remembers him swelling to the point of not even being recognizable, of how their mother meticulously guarded his diet and how their family became devoted to finding ways of helping to improve Kemps quality of life. Four years ago at the age of fifty-three, Kemp became seriously ill and in need of an immediate kidney transplant. My great aunt Susan Perry, his other sister was a perfect match. The donation/transplant took place in Little Rock, Arkansas. Today .
Kemp is healthy, happy and enjoying life as never before. He will forever be on anti-rejection medications as will all other recipients. These drugs depress the immune system so that their bodies do not reject the new organ. Kemp states, " It is a small inconvenience, for a large improvement in my life." (Kemp Nall) .
Another reason to become a donor and the simplest of all is that it is easy.