Texas Children's Hospital lead sponsor of Donate Life Transplant Games of America

For the first time, Houston hosts national event bringing together thousands of families from around the country

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Jul 23, 2014, 06:03 ET

HOUSTON, July 23, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 3,500 organ transplant recipients, living donors and their families gathered together in Houston for the annual Olympic-style, multi-sport event, the Donate Life Transplant Games of America (TGA). Texas Children's Hospital was a major sponsor for the games with both current, as well as former patients participating as members of Team Texas. For more information about transplant services at Texas Children's visit texaschildrens.org/transplant.

"The Donate Life Transplant Games of America is a national event meant to change lives and we could not be more proud to have been a part of it," said Dr. John Goss, medical director of transplant services at Texas Children's and professor of surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. "The games not only give donors, recipients and their families a chance to tell the world about the importance of organ donation, but it also shows the world what it means to give a second chance at life."

A 5K walk and run, which was open to the public, kicked-off this week long event. A parade of athletes, representing 48 teams from across the country, marshalled in the official Open Ceremonies held at BBVA Compass Stadium later that evening. Texas Children's President and CEO Mark A. Wallace joined other CEOs from the Texas Medical Center in carrying in the TGA flag, which was signed by participants from across the nation.

During the games, participants partook in numerous athletic events including swimming, tennis, ballroom dancing, basketball, bowling, and more. At the end of each day families had the opportunity to share their inspiring stories during open mic nights at the fan favorite TGA Coffee House.

In order to add a touch of competition to the games, medals were awarded to the top athletes in each division. Texas Children's participants were apart of Team Texas, comprised of 748 members ranging in age from 2 to 83, and received 104 medals, including 63 gold, 26 silver and 15 bronze.

From infants, to young adults, the team at Texas Children's transplants patients of all ages and takes on the most complex cases, many times accepting patients that other centers have turned away. With the multidisciplinary expertise of physicians, surgeons, nurses, transplant pharmacists, child life specialists, dietitians, social workers and financial counselors, the hospital has years of experience working with children in need of transplants, as well as with the organ procurement system our country has in place. In fact, Texas Children's is one of the few pediatric transplant programs to have dedicated teams for immunology, infectious disease, pathology, pharmacy, intensive care and operating room nursing. In 2013, the hospital was the most active pediatric transplant center in the nation and one of the most active in the world.

Cleveland, Ohio will host the next TGA event in 2016. For more information about the games visit transplantgamesofamerica.org.

About Texas Children's Hospital
Texas Children's Hospital, a not-for-profit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children's hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children's has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women's health. The hospital includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; the Feigin Center for pediatric research; Texas Children's Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children's Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands, a second community hospital planned to open in 2017. The organization also created the nation's first HMO for children, has the largest pediatric primary care network in the country and a global health program that's channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children's Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news by visiting the online newsroom and Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.

Elizabeth Shackouls
832-824-2108
[email protected]

SOURCE Texas Children's Hospital