An estimated 8,000 organ, eye and tissue donation recipients and their families will convene in Salt Lake City in the summer of 2018 for Donate Life Transplant Games, the Utah Sports Commission (USC) announced last week. The games are scheduled for Aug. 2-7 and will involve over 20 competitions and dozens of ancillary activities around the city.
The Transplant Games are expected to bring about $8 million of economic activity to the region. A local organizing committee will manage the event under the auspices of the Transplant Games of America with extensive support from local partners including the Utah Sports Commission, Intermountain Donor Services, the University of Utah Solid Organ Transplant Program and Visit Salt Lake.
The biennial Transplant Games are organized to raise awareness for the life-altering benefits brought about through the transplantation of organs, tissue, and corneas, the organizers said in a release. “Organ transplants save thousands of lives each year and the Transplant Games celebrate the gift of life by honoring recipients, donors and donor families,” the statement said. “The event also provides a platform for education on organ and tissue donation.” Currently, over 120,000 people in the United States are awaiting an organ transplant. It is estimated that over 20 individuals die each day waiting for an organ.
“Hosting the Transplant Games is a big win for the state of Utah,” said USC president and CEO Jeff Robbins. “It will bring a new group of visitors to experience Utah, provide significant economic impact to the state and bring awareness that donation and transplantation not only can be life-saving, but can allow individuals to continue participating in athletic competition.”
Salt Lake City was selected to host the event because of the wide array of venues, lodging options, public transportation and accessibility from other markets, USC said.
“Salt Lake City’s exceptional bid clearly demonstrated an overwhelming commitment to the rich history of the Transplant Games and the cause of donation and transplantation,” said Bill Ryan, president and CEO of the Transplant Games of America. “The local medical community and Intermountain Donor Services, the region’s organ procurement organization, played a great role in the selection of Salt Lake City for the Transplant Games. The leadership and professionalism of the Utah Sports Commission helped to lead the local team and create an unparalleled excitement in bringing the Games to this community.”
“We have witnessed firsthand the tremendous experiences and opportunities the games provide organ, eye and tissue transplant recipients, living donors and donor family members of all ages,” said Tracy Schmidt, executive director of Intermountain Donor Services. “We are especially appreciative of the mission of the Games to promote donation and transplantation.”
The Utah Sports Commission is a not-for-profit charitable organization governed by an all-volunteer board of trustees consisting of statewide sports, business, community and government leaders. It works closely with communities, sports entities and organizations to provide event services ranging from the bid process, on-site logistics, volunteer coordination, sponsorships and promotional opportunities and other related services.