Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Canadian Transplant Association
Issue #21 Fall / Winter 2007
The Living Proof
Bangkok, Thailand
Team Canada participates in the 16th World Transplant GamesAugust 25th - September 2nd, 2007
Celebrating 20 Years!
CTA Celebratestheir successacross Canada
Windsor, Ontario
Come join us for the 4th National Games August 4th - 10th, 2008
www.organ-donation-works.org
Thank youfor supporting the Canadian Transplant Association
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
ASTELLAS • CANADIAN TRANSPLANT ASSOCIATION • NOVARTIS • ROCHEELOQUA • HBC • PARMEL • RUNNING ROOM LTD • SOUTHMEDIC • TRANS-SPORT CANADA
Canadian Transplant Associationc/o N. Folkins
11649 St. Albert Trail NW
Edmonton, AB T5M 3L6
President - David [email protected]
Past President - Janet [email protected]
Vice-President - Dick [email protected]
Vice-President - Mark [email protected]
Treasurer - Maureen [email protected]
Secretary - Amy [email protected]
Membership Director - Neil [email protected]
Team Manager - Rosie [email protected]
WTGF Councillor - Heather [email protected]
REGIONAL DIRECTORS
BC - Margaret [email protected]
AB - Jennifer [email protected]
SK - Orest [email protected]
MN - Brent [email protected]
ON - Linda [email protected]
QC - Cathy [email protected]
NB - Mark [email protected]
NF - Felicity O’[email protected]
Inside This Issue...Membership Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
President’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
The 16th World Transplant Games in Bangkok: A Supporter’s Perspective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 - 5
BC Regional Report Fall 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Team Transplant Dragon Boat Crew Celebrates its 10th Anniversary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 - 7
Donna Fleming: Founding Member and Friend of CTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
The Ontario Division of the CTA celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the Canadian Transplant Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 - 9
Our Canadian Team Participates in the 16th World Transplant Games in Bangkok . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 - 11
Saskatchewan Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Canada wins Gold in Volleyball! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 - 13
Vancouver Sun Run April 16th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Telly Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Ontario Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 - 15
In Memory of Two Special People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
NOTICE OF ELECTIONS: Election information will be distributed to all CTAmembers within the next 4 weeks. In the meantime, you are encouraged to take on a leadership role with the CTA. Volunteer to be a regional director orcoordinator in your community! It is a matter of giving back and helping save lives.
There is an infrastructure in place to assist you. For further information please send your enquiries to the CTA at www.organ-donation-works.org
MEMBERSHIP FEESThe Canadian Transplant Association has undergone many new changes in thepast year. At our July meeting membership fees were addressed and discussed.Since CTA has not revised its membership costs for many years, a new feeschedule was voted on and accepted.
The new membership fee will take effect as of January 1, 2008. The new one(1) year individual membership will be raised to $30.00, and a new two (2)year membership will now be offered for $50.00. We will also be offering a one (1) year family membership that will be available for $75.00.
One Year Individual Membership $30.00
Two Year Individual Membership $50.00
One Year Family Membership $75.00
This family membership will include all related adults and children who live at the same address.
Neil Folkins, Membership Director
As 2007 is nearing the end, we can look back with feelings of accomplishment and joy. This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the formation of the Canadian Transplant Association, which started out with only a handful of eager transplant recipients in the Greater Toronto Area, and has grown into a strong nationalorganization which pursues the goals of increased organ donor awareness and the encouragement of a healthylifestyle for transplant recipients.
Over the past twenty years the board and its membership have generously given thousands of volunteer hours,promoting the importance of donation and transplantation both locally and internationally. Whether presentingtalks for local businesses and schools, or competing in the Canadian National and World Transplant Games, themessage from the life changing effects of transplantation ring clear in the ears of the audience, while giving hopeto the many still on the waiting lists. I am proud to be a part of this volunteer group composed of transplantrecipients, family, friends and healthcare professionals, who do their best daily to actively promote the gift of life.
Our activities this year started out with the debut of the “Lets Talk about It” DVD, at the CST/CAT conferencein Banff. Since its inception, this media tool has been utilized across the country as a powerful resource topromote organ donor awareness. It has already received highly respected awards in the field of media. You will find more details of these awards in the following pages.
In this newsletter you will read about our 20th anniversary celebrations and the amazing experiences from thosewho participated in the 16th World Transplant Games in Bangkok, Thailand. We were excited to have a largecontingent of children from the Toronto Sick Kids Hospital, who experienced a new culture and met many otheryouth recipients from around the world. Many thanks go out to Alie Drabble, Dr. Anne Dipchand and RobinDeliva from the Sick Kids Hospital for all their efforts along the way to make this happen. It was great to seemany new smiling faces at the games.
Enjoy the articles, and thank you for your interest and contributions towards another successful year of theCanadian Transplant Association.
Dave Smith
President, Canadian Transplant Association
President’s Corner David Smith, Kidney Recipient, Edmonton, AB
ON THE COVER - Jessica, heart transplant recipient,
proudly displays her gold medal from the 50m
Backstroke at the 16th World Transplant Games
in Bangkok, Thailand.
Pu
blic
atio
ns
Mai
l Ag
reem
ent
Nu
mb
er: 4
00
33
69
8
The BC Region staged a number of verysuccessful organ donor awareness eventsthrough out the year and we lookforward to an even more successful2008.
The inaugural “Run the Ridge 5 and10k Run was held in Maple RidgeTownship where approximately 300people attended. Our team of 14 didexceptionally well in the race. At onepoint the crowd was informed of CTA’smission where upon the BC TransplantSociety’s registration booth was swampedwith people looking for moreinformation. It was a successful day allaround with the team winning 6 medals(three by recipients athletes), but mostimportantly over 28 people registered onthe BC Transplant organ donor registry.We look forward to increasing ournumbers at the run next year.
To celebrate CTA’s 20th anniversary andNOTDAW, the BC region invited allCTA members to participate in theVancouver Sun Run, held on April15th, 2007. Our team was composed of 32 members, 14 of which weretransplant recipients. Members of theCTA executive took time out from theirboard meeting to participate in the runas part of the organ donor awarenessteam. The team was ranked 18th out of 32 in the Health /Medical division.Media coverage during NOTDAW wasvery positive and included Global TVnews and City TV covering both theSun Run and the Gift of Life DragonBoat team.
Thanks to Jessica Fell and Neil Biggs
the BC /CTA has a web site up andrunning. Although it is still in itsdeveloping stages, please take a momentto check it out at www.bccta.page.tl.We have our sterling silver greenribbon jewelry advertised, pictures of the National and World Games and updated information of what’shappening in BC.
Our Gift of Life Dragon Boat teamcompleted their 7th year with muchsuccess. They entered four festivals thispast summer and in their final racescompeted in divisions higher than they had ever placed before.
There was a small but enthusiastic group of BC athletes who attended the World Transplant Games thissummer; Marvin Messiner, Carrie Jung,Dick Lingham and Margaret Bensonalong with Jordan Marcia and ZoeAlstrup, the teens of the group. Finalmedal count was ten! Special thanks to our fantastic supporters.
The Games offer us many things;
travel and excitement but most
importantly new friendships are
formed, old friendships are
reunited and smiles, laughter,
hugs and dancing are endless.
We all came home with wonderfulmemories and fabulous stories to tellthanks to the Thai people who hostedan incredible event.
Our 2nd annual Gift of Life HalloweenDance was again a success. Thanks to allthose on the committee for their helpand to all who donated items to the
BC Regional Report Fall 2007Written by Margaret Benson, Double Lung Recipient, North Vancouver, BC
The 16th World Transplant Games inBangkok: A Supporter’s PerspectiveWritten by Alie Drabble, RN, Robin Deliva, Physiotherapist, Anne Dipchand, Cardiologist – Sick Kids Hospital, Toronto, ON
In 2005, a transplant recipient and herfamily came to a routine clinic visit andshared with the medical team thewonderful experiences they had had inLondon, Ontario at the 15th WorldTransplant Games. As a team, we allnoticed the positive impact that thesegames had on the whole family’s outlookon life and the possibilities for the future.Back in 2005 our medical team had verylittle knowledge about the TransplantGames, however when a second familyshared similar stories about theirexperience at the same games we werestimulated to learn more, and so ourjourney began.
We thought a lot about the Games overthe next year, and in January 2007, wedecided to send out an open invitation to our pediatric heart transplant recipients and their families to join us fora discussion about the potential of goingas a group to the 16th World TransplantGames in Bangkok, Thailand. Weexpected a handful of interested families,
but to our surprise, we had a packedroom and ultimately 17 families signedup for this adventure.
Needless to say, in our professionaltraining, we all missed the 101 class ontravel and event planning, but our lack of experience in this area was about tochange. Through the winter and into thespring, there was an ever-growing learningcurve about travel planning, fund-raisingand the joys of communicating with alarge diverse group. It wasn’t always easy,the workload was huge, and looking backthere were certainly times when we felt we would never be ready. But we madeour deadlines, and on August 21, 2007,our group of 17 young athletes and 30supporters left Canada and arrived 27 hours later in Bangkok, Thailand.Although it was a long journey, theanticipation and excitement of what wasto come kept most of us awake the entiretrip. We had tried to prepare our groupfor what to expect from Thailand’s capitalcity, but culture shock still hit many of us.After all, how can you possibly prepareyourself for the total sensory overload that is Bangkok? Thank goodness we
had three days to recover, sleep andacclimatize before the Games started.
As these were the first Games for many of us, we really had no pre-conceivedideas about what to expect. The adultmembers of Team Canada provided awarm welcome to the junior membersand helped us all with advice andguidance about the coming week. TheOpening Ceremonies were an excellentopportunity for the junior and adult teammembers to get to know each other as thewhole of Team Canada joined all theother participating countries on the floorfor the parade of athletes. That afternoonwith its pageantry and splendor launchedus into a whirlwind of sporting activityfrom bowling to swimming to the worldof track and field.
Never did we ever expect such
excitement, devotion and true
sportsmanship at such an
international scale. The World
Transplant Games were much
larger than we imagined and it
was easy to get caught up in
the contagious camaraderie,
friendship and team spirit.
The overwhelming friendliness of all theinternational athletes as well as the Thai
volunteers and officials cannotbe described. At every eventthere was support for theathletes that crossed allinternational boundaries.
The Canadian Team, madeup of 17 adult athletes and16 junior athletes,
from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland,participated in multiple events andbrought home many medals. As healthcare professionals we truly saw thepositive end product of transplantation,and this was awe-inspiring. Overall, our experience of being part of thecelebration with the Canadian Teamwas a fantastic privilege. Even now,weeks after we have returned home, weare still talking fondly about the busiestweek of our lives, spent in swelteringtemperatures, and on very little sleep.Speaking on behalf of ourselves and theparents that accompanied our Canadianjunior athletes, this was an experiencebeyond anything that any of us had everobserved before. We would challengeany transplant recipient and theirsupport groups/friends and family to experience the wonder that is theWorld Transplant Games.
So, where do we go from here? As oneparent remarked “When we all go toAustralia...” It already looks like we havea firm commitment from 17 youngathletes to look ahead with the rest ofTeam Canada to the 17th WorldTransplant Games on the Gold CoastQueensland, Australia. We have learneda lot from our Bangkok experience andwe know we couldn’t have done itwithout all the phenomenal support we received from our various sponsors.
The word is spreading fast and we arebeing bombarded with questions aboutparticipation, not only from ourpediatric heart transplant group, butother pediatric organ groups as well. So for 2009, it looks like the Canadianteam will be even larger, showing a huge presence “down under”. We aredefinitely on board for the next excitingride; maybe we will see you there.
Donna Fleming, a 34 year kidney
transplant recipient is the first of our
CTA members to be profiled in our
newsletter. She will be the first of a long
line of very worthy individuals who have
put their heart and soul into the
Canadian Transplant Association and
organ donor awareness.
Donna or KB (Kidney Bean) as she is
sometimes called, has many memories
of her days spent at The Sick Kids
Hospital in Toronto where she received
her transplant 34 years ago: the
surgeries, dialysis, her parents and the
staff all hold a special place in her heart.
She will still often return to the
beautiful stain glass window at the
University Ave. entrance, where she
would wait for her Dad, to say thanks
with a little prayer.
Her many memories from her
association with CTA include the
numerous International and National
Games that she attended in her early
years and her involvement with the
Team Transplant dragon boat team over
the past ten years. For her friend Linda,
the highlight was traveling together to
the World Games in Innsbruck where
the idea to begin a transplant
organization took place! For the next 20
years they have continued their
friendship and participated in numerous
events to promote organ donor
awareness. Besides their participation in
both the World and National Games,
they have organized and participated in
euchre tournaments, bowl-a-thons, built
floats for parades and paddled in a
dragon boat.
Donna Fleming: FoundingMember and Friend of CTAWritten by Rosie McHugh with input from Donna Fleming and her good friend Linda Rowe
Team Transplant is a dragon boat team
based out of Toronto that is composed
of paddlers who have received kidney,
liver, lung, heart, pancreas, or bone
marrow transplants, plus medical
professionals and other support paddlers.
Established in 1997, Team Transplant
has participated in over 25 festivals all
over Ontario in the last ten years,
and has really proven to the dragon boat
community that organ transplantation
can lead to a normal, active life.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of
Team Transplant, and to help kick off
the countdown to the 2008 National
Transplant Games, Team Transplant
participated in the International Dragon
Boats for the Cure Festival on Lake St.
Clair in Windsor, Ontario, July 15. The
dragon boat races were also a fundraiser
for breast cancer research and support,
and teams raised a total of over $305,000
for this wonderful cause. Transplant
recipients feel a great deal of kinship with
the breast cancer survivor paddlers, and
had a wonderful time meeting all of the
brave and crazy paddlers dressed in pink!
Team Transplant had three different
500 meter races over the course of the day.
In the first race, the team had a sluggish
start, but finished strong with a time
of 2:31.30. The second race was much
better, with a time of 2:29.06. The
combined times of these two races put
the team into the "C" Final, or among
the top 18 out of 75 teams! In the final
race, Team Transplant finished third
overall in the "C" Division with a time
of 2:30.13. A great race!
The team would like to acknowledge
their volunteer coach Dough Shiozaki
who was a suburb motivator and teacher.
They would also like to thank the CTA
for financial support over the last decade.
Most importantly, Team Transplant
Team Transplant Dragon Boat Crew Celebrates its 10th Anniversary and Kicks offthe Countdown to the 2008 Windsor GamesWritten by Amy Holdorf, Team Transplant Captain and Kidney Recipient, Toronto
would like to thank all of the donor
families for their altruistic gifts
that made this event possible.
Paddling, cheering, celebrating,
and living life to the fullest is the
best way to honor the generosity
of the donor families.
Founding member Tony
Cammareri, who recently
celebrated the 27th
anniversary of his bone
marrow transplant, said,
“I am very proud of our
performance in Windsor.
Dragon boating is a great
way to stay in shape, and
a wonderful way to show
off the success of organ
donation.”
Livers, Kidneys, Lungs and Hearts!
We can’t live without these parts!
6th Winter World Transplant Games 2008
Rovaniemi, Finland,
March 26th- 31st
For the first time, the
Nicholas Cup will be an
integral part of the Winter
World Transplant Games.
www.elinsiirtourheilu.fi/
rovaniemi_2008
Each country belonging to
the Federation now has their
very own web page where
they can post their news.
Keep up to date on what is
happening around the world.
Check out the World
Transplant Games Federation
web site: www.wtgf.org
Heather Fisher
WTGF Canadian councilor
second chance at life. This award, created
in 1990, has been awarded to several
individuals and companies over the past
years. The CTA was pleased to present the
award this year to the Trillium Gift of Life
Network, (TGLN), the not-for-profit
agency of
the Government of Ontario who is
responsible for planning, promoting,
coordinating and supporting organ and
tissue donation across Ontario and
improving the system so that more lives
can be saved. Mel Davis who presented
the award to Frank Markel, President &
CEO, Trillium Gift of Life Network and
his staff, indicated that, “if I had to do it
all over again I would make the same
decision. After seeing all those recipients
at the front of the stage, I know I made
the right decision.”
Team Transplant, our Dragon Boat Team
also celebrated their 10th Anniversary
during our 20th Anniversary Gala. Amy
Holdorf, a Team Transplant Member,
presented Donna Fleming, the founding
member of the group with the MVP
paddle as well as a ceramic dragon as
a thank you for all her hard work over
the past 10 years.
“The Ontario region of the
Canadian Transplant Association
displayed all of their talents on
Saturday night at the MaRS
centre, as they put forth a very
special evening celebrating 20
years as a volunteer organization
promoting the importance of
Organ and Tissue Donation.
It was a fantastic evening,
honouring all of those who have
made an important contribution
to the success of the CTA over
the years. Congratulations to all
on a very successful and enjoyable
evening.” ~ David Smith, President
Guests were entertainment by kidney
recipient, Melody Klassen who played her
harp prior to the formal presentations. A
slideshow/video prepared by Tara Brady
was a real trip down memory lane for
those in attendance! Later in the evening
they were able to enjoy and dance to the
Marginal Donors. This 5-piece rock
band includes three Transplant
Physicians/Surgeons from the Toronto
General Hospital: Dr. Heather Ross,
Dr. Mark Cattral, Dr. Paul Greig, as
well as Mr. Las Toth and Mr. Tom Rasky.
Recipients along with their family and
friends danced the night away. “They
certainly weren’t “patients” on Saturday
The Ontario Division of the CTA
celebrated the 20th anniversary of the
Canadian Transplant Association on
Saturday, November 10, 2007 at the
MaRS Centre, Toronto ON. Over 200
people, including donor families, donors,
medical staff, our friends from the
pharmaceutical companies and over
40 transplant recipients with their
family and friends were in attendance.
Guests at the event were able to peruse
the many informative booths on display:
material on world and national games,
as well as information on the upcoming
games in Windsor; CTA and Dragon
Boating. The Donor and Recipient
quilts were on display by Jane Tucker,
a volunteer with The Gift of Life
Network from London, ON. Jewellery
was available for sale by Mary
Berchand, Blue Marigold Designs
(www.bluemarigold.ca) with proceeds
from her sales going to CTA. Also
available for sale was the book Stories
From Her Journey by Liz Maxwell,
with proceeds from the sale of her book
donated to CTA. Many items were also
donated for a silent auction. Guests
participated in the launch of the new
look for CTA, which included banners,
brochures, newsletter and website.
“Congratulations to everyone
for being a special part of our
20th anniversary celebration.”
~ Linda Rowe, Ontario Director &Founding Member
Linda Rowe, Regional Director of
Ontario and one of the founding member
of CTA, welcomed our guests and gave a
brief history of the CTA. Janet Brady, Past
President, CTA National, thanked the
donor families and donors in the audience
and asked that all recipients in attendance
come to the front of the stage. She
acknowledged those who had more than
one transplant and then acknowledged the
recipients on the length of time they had
their transplant. Recipients ranged from
3 weeks to 34 years post transplant!
The night was emceed by award winning
Canadian songstress, Damhnait Doyle
who is a member of the group, Shaye.
Damhnait has a personal connection
to organ donation and her charm,
personality, and sense of humour
made her a great emcee for this event.
Many awards were presented over the
evening. Plaques and dragon boat oars
were awarded to the many sponsors who
have supported the CTA (please see list
included in this article). A highlight was
the presentation of the Victor Davis
Award. This award is an Ontario Region
Award given to an individual or company
who has greatly contributed in the
promotion of organ donor awareness.
Victor Davis was a Canadian Olympic
and World champion swimmer whose
life was tragically ended by a hit-and-run
driver in Montreal in 1989. His Dad,
Mel Davis, had the insight to donate
Victor’s organs so others would get a
The Ontario Division of the CTA celebrated the 20thAnniversary of the Canadian Transplant AssociationWritten by Sandra Holdsworth, Public Relations Manager, CTA - ON, Liver Transplant Recipient
The ONTARIO 20TH ANNIVERSARY GALA COMMITTEE included Donna
Fleming, Mae Herrera, Amy Holdorf, Sandra Holdsworth, Carol Poirier, Linda Rowe
The Canadian Transplant AssociationOntario Division presented commemorativedragon boat oars to their many sponsors:
PLATINUM DIVISION
• Hoffman La Roche, Jim Hall, Vice President Sales and Marketing
• Novartis, Rob Symonds, Senior Specialist Representative - Infectious Diseases
• Trillium Gift of Life, Frank Markel, President and CEO
GOLD DIVISION:
• Astellas - Oleg Boldireff, Hospital Product Specialist in Transplantation
SILVER
• Muskoka Hearing Aids Ltd., Linda Rowe & Shelley Martin
FRIENDS OF CTA
• Scotiabank, Huntsville Branch, Shelley Martin
guides, Pang and Film who daily assisted
us with translating, explaining Thai
culture, supporting all our activities plus
fanning and fetching water trying to keep
us cool in the very humid, hot conditions.
One of the highlights of these Games was
the gold winning volleyball game against
Argentina. With scores of 25-22 and
27-26, you can imagine the excitement
in the gymnasium! It was also great to
see the bond develop among the team,
where the ages ranged from 6-72! Special
congratulations go out to Marvin Meissner
who established a new world record in the
Ball Throw for the Super Veterans with a
throw of 54.92m and Leslie Petter, who
set the new world record in the Super
Senior 800m with a time of 3:21.85.
As part of the legacy funds from the last
World Transplant Games in London, the
CTA was able to subsidize registration fees
for our transplant athletes who had not
previously received funding for these
Games. At our executive meeting last
April a process was developed whereby
a transplant athlete may apply for funding
for their registration fee by completing
the appropriate form and submitting it
to the CTA. These forms, available on
line, ask for ways in which they have
promoted tissue and organ donor
awareness in the past two years since
the previous Games. This could be
achieved through participation in
awareness events, media releases,
mentoring programs, promoting
CTA etc. A complete list of suggested
activities can be found on the form.
As many happy memories of Thailand
continue to fill our minds, we look
forward to renewing friendships at the
National Games in Windsor, August
4-10, 2008 and the next World
Transplant Games on the Gold Coast,
in Queensland Australia in August 2009.
JUNIOR COMPETITORS
Jake BlairGold Badminton and Table
Tennis; Silver Long Jump;
Bronze Ball Throw
Ayden BredinGold in Badminton,
50m and Ball Throw
Jessica DorcichGold Badminton, Long Jump.
50m backstroke; Bronze 50m
Benjamin GirouxGold 50m Backstroke; Bronze
Badminton and 50m Freestyle
Jordan MarciaGold Shot Put
Kaila RemilliardGold Cycling 5km
Kelsey SeniukGold High Jump;
Silver Table Tennis
Ronald AntonroySilver Badminton
Kailyn BredinSilver 25m Freestyle,
Badminton; Bronze
Ball Throw
Ryley BrotmanSilver Table Tennis; Bronze
Long Jump, Tennis and
Badminton
Devan CruickshanksSilver 25m Freestyle,
25m Backstroke, Ball
Throw and 50 Breastroke;
Bronze Long Jump
Seth DelguidiceSilver Tennis; Bronze 50m
Jacob Kingdon KramerSilver Badminton;
Bronze 25m Freestyle
Christopher MilliardSilver 100m; Bronze
Tennis and Badminton
Dustin MartinBronze Tennis
* World Record
Seventy-one Canadians traveled to
Bangkok, Thailand to participate in
the 16th World Transplant Games from
August 25 - September 2. Our 33 athletes
were well supported by family and friends
who accompanied them on this journey.
Many were very appreciative having a day
or two prior to the Games to acclimatize
to the time change and the intense heat
and humidity. But this certainly did not
stand in the way of our athletes who gave
their best for the Canadian team! Final
medal count for the 17 adult athletes was
23, placing them 11th out of the 46 teams
who participated. Canada had one of the
largest junior contingency (16 athletes),
winning 32 medals over the 8-day event.
A full list of medal winners can be found
below. The team was very pleased to
have a large contingency from Sick Kids
Hospital in Toronto, including Dr. Anne
Dipchand, Alie Drabble and Robin
Deliva who were invaluable in helping
with the organization of the junior
competitors. Many thanks go out to all
the supporters at the Games, with special
mention to Cecilia and Maureen
McHugh who helped ease the Team
Manager’s work load immensely! This
year, a team physician, Dr. Cameron
Ghent from London Health Sciences also
accompanied the team providing his
support with the few “minor” injuries that
were encountered.
Travelling to these Games was definitely
a memorable occasion. It was a wonderful
opportunity to meet with other transplant
recipients and share the joy of life after
transplantation. We had two great liaison
Our Canadian Team Participates in the 16th World Transplant Games in BangkokWritten by Rosie McHugh, Team Manager, London, ON
It was a wonderful
opportunity to meet
with other transplant
recipients and share
the joy of life after
transplantation.
Margaret BensonGold 3km Race walk;
Silver 800m
Janet BradyGold volleyball;
Gold 50m Breaststroke
Ivo BabicBronze Table Tennis singles
Brent DueckGold Volleyball; Silver
High Jump; Bronze
Mixed Doubles Tennis
Heather FisherGold Volleyball;
Bronze ShotPut
Sandra HoldsworthGold Volleyball; Bronze
Table Tennis Singles
Carrie JungGold 200m; Silver 100m
Robert KolatschekGold Volleyball; Gold
200m; Silver High
Jump; Silver 400m
Pierre LazardSilver 200m; Bronze 100m
Richard LinghamBronze 50m Freestyle
Marvin MeissnerGold Ball Throw*; Gold
Pentanque; Gold Volleyball;
Silver 10pin bowling singles
Lyne PelletierGold Volleyball
Leslie PetterGold Volleyball;
Gold 800m*; Bronze
Tennis Mixed Doubles;
Bronze 3km Road Race
Michael Strilchuk Gold Volleyball; Gold
200 Individual Medley
I have been playing volleyball
for 17 years and coaching for
11 of those years. I have had
the honour and the privilege
of coaching and playing with
some incredible players,
players who exemplify good
sportsmanship and athleticism.
However, taking the court with the finemen and women of Team Canada’sTransplant Volleyball team was the
pinnacle of my career, in the way each person embodied sportsmanship,athleticism, team spirit and never say dieattitude of all transplant recipients. Therewas something special about this team the moment we stepped on the court forour first and only practice; there was animmediate sense of camaraderie, that wewere a team. Every teammate there hadgone through something extraordinary to be on this team and this created a bond that no other team I have beeninvolved with could match. Eachteammate brought something special toteam dynamic and everyone came with a remarkable determination to play at his or her highest possible level. The teamfocused on every drill as though we werealready playing for gold, and in reality this is where a gold medal winning team shows what they’re made of.
It seemed as though the stars had alignedfor Team Canada, as the Australians andthe Czechs were in our pool and neither
team was a real powerhouse on the court. In a single knockout tournament,allowing us some warm up games to gel as a team was very helpful. Westeamrolled the good-natured Aussies in our first match and worked outsome kinks in the process. The Czechsfailed to field a team, which wasunfortunate, but our brotherlyneighbours to the south, the U.S agreed to play us in an exhibition match with their second team.
As fate would have it, our pool crossedover to face Hungary in the semi-finals.This was the same team that eliminatedTeam Canada at the world games in2005 in London, ON. With retributionon our minds, we took to the court asone. The first game proved to be toughas we traded points with the Hungariansbut ultimately overcame them in theend, leaving the second set with all themomentum on our side. We handilydefeated them to take the match.
As a team we watched in fascinationand trepidation as Holland andArgentina battled it out in their semi-final, not sure if we wanted to face thevery tall and hard hitting Dutch teamor the incredible speedy, defensive and high flying Argentinean team.Argentina won out in an incrediblecome from behind victory to set thestage for the gold medal match ofCanada vs. Argentina.
The match proved to be the hardestfought volleyball that I have ever been a part of. The first game saw us fallbehind early, and I have to admit itlooked rather hopeless. But, as I havestated before, there was somethingspecial about this team. With a late rallywe came back and won 25-22. The lastset was one I will never forget. Therewas hardly a moment in the gamewhere one team had a lead of more than2 points and with a tournament cap of27 points, it came down to a 26-26 tie.The gym was electric with team USA,Holland, the Brits and a huge Thaicontingent cheering us to victory.Argentina set one of their many stronghitters, but he was unable to convertleaving Canada as World Championsfor our first medal in Volleyball in thehistory of the transplant games. As thatfinal point hit the ground a feeling ofeuphoria erupted in each of our hearts.We did it! A gold medal! One that weshare with all of our team - mates (thosecheering and competing in otherevents) and Team Argentina who weregracious in the face of defeat.
We played a 4-2 system:
Power: Marvin Meissner and Mike
Strilchuk; Setters: Leslie Petter and
Janet Brady; Middle: Rob Kolatschek
and Brent Dueck; Universal Player:
Heather Fisher; Libero: Lyne Pelletier;
Assistant Coach: Sandra Holdsworth
Saskatchewan ReportOrest Saskiw, Heart Transplant, Saskatoon SK
Thanks to the hard work of Orest Saskiw,Loraine Churko, and Sharon Bourassa(our executive), the future of TeamSaskatchewan is looking brighter andbrighter. We met as a big group thissummer, after the national meeting in
Windsor to review our plans for the next couple of years. We also decidedwhat we would do to celebrate CTA’s20th Anniversary. With a large group ofmembers at this summer’s meeting, wewere able to expand our executive. Thisyear a Saskatchewan Regional CTAbanner was purchased, and first displayedby Carol Epp at her hometown ofLangham on the August long weekendwhere she proudly carried the banner in a hometown parade. It was later displayedat the 20th Anniversary celebration inSaskatoon in September.
At the beginning of September, we hadour version of CTA’s 20th Anniversary byhaving “a beef on a bun” day in the park.Thanks to all for their hard work inmaking this day such a success. Specialthanks goes out to Remax Reality fordonating a hot air balloon ride as a doorprize for this event.
We would like to congratulate all
those who represented Canada
at the World Games this year.
We look forward to seeing
everyone in Windsor next summer.
Canada wins Gold in Volleyball! Written by Brent Dueck, Kidney Recipient – Captain and Player/Coach
For the past four years the GIFT OF LIFE ORGAN DONATIONWORKS team has participated in the Vancouver Sun Run. This yearthe run had a very special meaning as the CTA executive came toVancouver from across Canada for a meeting and joined us to make the biggest team ever, with 32participants, 14 of those transplantrecipients. I can’t think of a betterway for the West to kick off the 20th anniversary of the CTA than by joining together and running or walking this 10k run. We werevery fortunate, thanks to MargaretBenson, to have great mediacoverage of our team. Both City T.V.and Global News came to ourdragon boat practice to interviewfour transplant recipients who wereparticipating in the Sun Run. It was a great opportunity to promoteorgan donation and show everyonethe kind of life that can be achievedfollowing transplantation.
For me personally, being able
to participate in this run is a
symbol of good health. It is a
chance to honor our donors
and show all donor families
that we are worthy of the
tremendous gift they have
given us, “THE GIFT OF LIFE”.
Each year as I line up waiting tobegin the run I am once againreminded of how lucky I am to just be alive. Being able to run this10k is quite simply, indescribable.
As I look at my teammates, I knowthat each recipient has their ownstory of amazing triumph overillness. We all feel the collectivepositive energy wash over us as wetake our places with 54,000 otherhealthy participants. For all of us,being able to participate in thisevent is a celebration of theincredible second chance we have been given by our donors.
VANCOUVER SUN RUN APRIL 15TH
Written by Susan Harrison, Liver Recipient, Vancouver, BC
Thank you Donna for spearheading this endeavour over the years. The CTAand its membership have enjoyed thecamaraderie, physical challenges,competition and heightened organ
donor awareness that dragon boating has given us. However the time has come to discover new challenges andencourage more membershipparticipation across Ontario.
For ongoing information about events happening in Ontario keep
posted by checking our website or contacting [email protected].
Coming soon!! The 4th National Transplant Games, Windsor Ontario,
August 2008. If you are interested in participating or volunteering
please contact Niva Segatto at 519-250-3473 or [email protected]
Check out the website at www.ctawindsor.org/games2008 for all the
latest information.
Ontario Report Written by Linda Rowe, Kidney Recipient, Huntsville, ON
Ontario’s celebration of CTA’s 20thAnniversary will be a memorableoccasion - one where we celebrate the gift of life with recipients, donors, donorfamilies, health professionals, thosewaiting for transplants and many others.
Who would have thought 20 years ago,when 9 transplant recipients fromCanada, sat under the Olympic Rings inInnsbruck, Austria, an organization suchas the Canadian Transplant Associationwould be formed. We wanted to do allwe could to help increase awareness inorgan donation. We also wanted toencourage all transplant recipients to stayhealthy and active, and steadily increasethe number of participants at thebiannual World Transplant Games.
In an ongoing effort to promote organdonor awareness, we have held NationalGames, Transplant Games Days,
competed in dragon boat festivals, heldbowl-a-thons, walk-a-thons, curled,played bingo, euchre, marched inparades, golfed, and played baseball. Yet there is still much to be done to help those on the waiting lists.
You too can help in the cause by getting involved!
10 years of Dragon boating!
Donna Fleming, a founding
member of CTA and the brains
behind “Team Transplant” has
worked diligently for the past
10 years recruiting the paddlers
and participating in Festivals.
This year we competed in three festivalsin Stouffville, Windsor and Oakville.With the Windsor Festival we kicked off the count - down to the NationalGames being held in Windsor in August2008. Many thanks to Doug Shiozaki, our new coach, who put us through thepaces, at both practices and races.
In Windsor, we had a full boat for allthree races. Members of our NationalExecutive were also there to cheer us on. Thanks to Margaret Benson(Vancouver), Dave Smith (Edmonton)and Mark Black (Moncton) for jumpingin the boat with “Team Transplant”.With 74 teams in attendance “TeamTransplant” placed in the top 16. In thefinal race, we were placed in the “C”Division claiming a third spot with atime of 2:30:13. Our team appreciatedthe support from our MVC’s (mostvaluable cheerleaders) Todd Lawrence,Rowland and Kate Baxendale, LaurenEagleson and her buddy Charlotte.Congratulations to Melody Klassen, who organized a wonderful receptionwhich provided an opportunity for “Team Transplant” to meet and socialize with our National Executive.
The Telly awards are the premier
international awards honouring
outstanding local, regional and
television commercials and
programs, showcasing the best
work of the most respected
agencies, production companies,
TV stations and corporate video
departments in the world receiving
over 13,000 entries each year.
On Air Productions, three time
Emmy winner producers, Wendy
Nesseth and Charles DeLost, were
hired to create the DVD promoting
organ donation awareness for the
Canadian Transplant Association,
entitled ‘Let’s Talk About It.’ Past
President Janet Brady, was the
volunteer Executive Producer for
this production that earned a silver
and 3 bronze Telly Awards for 2007
in the following categories:
Silver: Charitable/Not-for-profit (Non Broadcast)
Bronze: Health & Wellness (Local TV)
Health & Wellness (Non Broadcast)
Social Issues (Non Broadcast)
Many thanks to the organ
transplant recipients featured in
this DVD from across Canada who
shared their personal stories: Kathy
Tachynski, Sylvain Bedard, the late
Emily Morgan, and Janet Brady.
Contact the CTA for your free
copy for promoting organ and
tissue donation in your community.
TELLY AWARDS
We are sad toinform you thatat the age of 32,Isabel Lefebvre,a double lung
transplantrecipient, passed
away on May 29th,2007. Isabel participated in her firstWorld Transplant Games in London,Ontario, July 2005. Her lovely smilebrought joy to everyone around her.Family and friends will miss herdearly. ~ Gaston Martin
Chère Isabel, tu nous as quitté en toutesérénité le 29 mai en laissant derrière toi destraces indélébiles de ton passage parmi nous.
Nous garderons en mémoire les momentsinoubliables passes en la compagnie.
Ton sourire contagieux et la joie de vivreserant à jamais imprégnés dans nos vies.
Que ton repos soit doux et paisible ma belle.
Stories From Her Journey is a collectionof essays written by Liz Maxwell, ofFenelon Falls. It contains four accountsrelated to her transplant experiencebeginning with the illness, waiting andthe feeling of profound gratitude to thedonor. It then continues with the joy of recovery and later winning a medalfor Canada at the World TransplantGames in Australia. As Liz wrote, “My training began as soon as I made it through surgery…”
The stories about her transplantexperience are far from depressing. They are honest, never glossing over thedifficult times, but they also reflect Liz’soptimism and her appreciation of everyday she had with her family and friends.While it was important for her to writeabout that part of her life, she happilyrelayed a larger life view in her essays.Topics include growing up in the
Maritimes, prom dresses, marriage andsons, stories about beavers, her travelswith the Biker Babes, skiing, tennis,sailing, reaching out to a frightened boy from Chernobyl, and a family ofnew immigrants from Viet Nam.
When she passed away suddenly
in 2005, the four members of her
Toronto writing group decided to
form a not for profit company to
publish a collection of her writings,
to honour her memory, and to
support the cause of organ
donation in Canada.
To date sale of the book has raised over$2000 for transplant-related causes. Copies may be obtained throughwww.semidetachedpress.com.
As one reviewer said “This is a bookabout living life to its fullest despite aninterruption for a life saving transplant.”
Liz MaxwellIsabel Lefebvre 1975-2007
In Memory of Two Special People
Do you have any articles or
pictures that you would like
to submit for the newsletter?
If so, please forward to Rosie
McHugh at [email protected].
The deadline for items for our
next edition is February 6,
2008 (200 word limit).
