Keynote speaker Amy Purdy
Keynote speaker Amy Purdy, kidney transplant recipient, three-time Paralympic medalist and New York Times bestselling author, spoke about the challenges she faced after undergoing a kidney transplant and double leg amputation, and how she reimagined those challenges as opportunities. This renewed mindset set her on a path toward becoming a Paralympian, founding an athletic program for youth and wounded veterans with physical disabilities, and competing on “Dancing with the Stars,” among many other achievements. Purdy is also passionate about raising awareness about the power of organ donation.
“Our imaginations are huge tools for breaking through all the challenges in our lives, because in our minds, we can do anything, and we can be anything. It’s believing in those dreams, and facing our fears head on, that allows us to live our lives beyond our limits,” said Purdy.
The symposium also included talks from thought leaders, innovators, clinicians, researchers, patients, donor families and policy thinkers from around the country. The symposium covered a broad array of topics including using artificial intelligence to increase organ donation, the impact of medical mistrust and the future of lab-grown organs for transplantation.
