The International Donor and Transplant Games are set to take place this weekend in Birmingham, Alabama. According to Kansas City resident Chris Paxton, who received a kidney transplant, the event is more than just a competition. “It's really good competition. I've had the good fortune of competing against former Olympic cyclists,” Paxton said. The cyclist has participated in the games almost every year since 1998. He has also competed in other sports, including basketball and volleyball. He has different pin badges from each U.S. Transplant Games he has participated in, as well as several significant medals. Paxton is looking forward to this weekend's games and hopes to add more medals to his collection. Paxton received a kidney transplant from his father, a living donor, in 1995, and says the procedure saved his life. “Because of the transplant, it's allowed me to continue living a healthy life,” Paxton says. Inspired by the fact that he had a second chance at life, he decided to participate in the World Transplant Games. “And I'm just happy to still be alive and have the opportunity to participate in an event like this,” Paxton says. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Paxton's kidney transplant, and he thinks the best thing about the game is bringing awareness to the importance of organ donation. Paxton hopes his experience and the American Transplant Game will inspire others to sign up to the organ donor registry.
The International Donor and Transplant Games are set to take place this weekend in Birmingham, Alabama.
Kidney transplant recipient Chris Paxton of Kansas City said the event is about more than just competition.
“It's really good competition. I've been lucky enough to race against Olympic cyclists before,” Paxton said.
The cyclist has participated in the event almost every year since 1998. He also competes in other sports, including basketball and volleyball.
He owns a different pin badge from every American Transplant Games he has attended, as well as several significant medals.
Paxton is looking forward to this weekend's competition and hoping to add more medals to his collection.
He received a kidney transplant from his father, a living donor, in 1995 and says the operation saved his life.
“My transplant has allowed me to continue living a healthy lifestyle,” Paxton said.
Inspired by the fact that he had been given a second chance at life, he decided to enter the World Transplant Games.
“And I'm just happy to still be alive and have the opportunity to participate in these events,” Paxton said.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Paxton's kidney transplant, and he believes the best part of the Olympics is raising awareness of the importance of organ donation.
Paxton hopes her story and the American Transplant Game will inspire others to register to donate organs.
