Testimonials
Please read some of the testimonials and experiences of those who came to the 17th World Transplant Games on the Gold Coast 2009.
"My daughter gained two world games records in the athletics. She strived so hard for these performances it made me realise just what she has achieved in her life since her illness."
"Resilience and sheer guts of some of the competitors.".jpg)
"The most rewarding and profound experience was just knowing that everyone out there competing for their countries would be dead if it wasnt for the amazing gift of transplantation. If only we could get the message out even more as I am sure people would be blown away by this fact and to see how healthy and fit these athletes were is a testimont to transplants."
"It was a great experience and I had a fantastic time. Meeting athletes from other countries was brilliant and I will enjoy the friendships for the rest of my life."
"Watching Josh from Australia run - he is a testament that anyone can accomplish their dreams and is such a nice humble man."
"Josh - 19 year old Australian who has become blind due to having complications with his transplant with CF. He is an amazing kid who ran throughout the event and inspired me on as I ran."
"Meeting other children with transplants."
"Meeting with people from other countries , making friends. knowing the kind of preparations to make for the next wants."
"The commitment and friendliness of the volunteer staff was amazing, particularly as they often didn't know themselves the answers to queries but they never failed to try and provide an answer."
"I saw a little boy with a message on his shirt saying[Iam the result of aTransplant] Iasked his mother what organ he recieved. She said that she had leukemia and had a bone marrow transplant she then was able to have children."
"To be honest i loved every moment of these games i felt so spoilt & i was treated like royalty .Maybe the organisers know what we go thru when we r in hospital so they want us 2 have the time of our life .Me & my son couldnt stop talking bout our trip & all the close friends we made .Thank u so much 2 all the volunteers who gave up their time 2 make us smile & be happy & also to the Queensland Govt the hospitality of the Gold Coast people & all the donor families thank you so so so much God Bless all your good hearts love Annie & my son Matthew."
"The joy of seeing children recipients make new good friends from their country & other countries."
"I met very interesting people, I felt like I am in a big family!"
"I only attended the 10 Pin Events and both the Lawn Bowls days and thought they were well organised and credit should be given to the organising committee."
"The courage and enthusiasm of the athletes. It was my first Game. Thanks for the organisation of such a great event. All Aussies I met were very friendly and helpfull! I sure come back to Australia!!"
"Watching with my grad daughtersaged 9 and 5 as my husand Richard entered with the Australian Team in the opening ceremony."
"JUST BEING THERE WAS REWARD ENOUGH AND BEING ABLE TO SHARE THE JOY WITH MY DONOR FAMILY. MEETING AND SHARING OUR EXPERIENCES WITH PEOPLE OF ALL NATIONALITIES, SPECIALLY THE CHILDREN. ALSO COMPLETING THE 3k WALK EVEN THOUGH I WAS LAST, I COULDN'T 3K 6 MONTHS AGO."
"We had a great time and made many new friends."
"To see the australian animals and to swimm in the beaches ( the sharks !)"
"Just meeting new and interesting peoplewas just amazing."
"Being my first games, the best experience i have had so far in my life."
"I had a compelling feeling of togetherness with my team and camaraderie with other teams,and to see the level of performance brought tears to my eyees on occassions."
"Hong kong competitors were a joy to meet and compete against."
"Meeting old friends form previous World games and making new ones from all arround the world.".jpg)
"These games were held in very beautiful place, we liked the town and especially the beach. Everything was fine and we had no problems during the games."
"Meeting all the other athletes from around the world was amazing."
"Watching the junior athletes from around the world form such strong bonds and friendships and see them embrace the true spirit of both sportsmanship and them games....I hope to see more in future world games."
"Overwhelming sense of friendship."
"Meeting some freindly competitors and the excellent."
"Privilege to be there and very moving at times. I cannot get it out of my head."
"Watching a overseas international athelete present a silver medal of hers to a Australia Donor family. Very moving."
"My son was on the USA cycling team and his teammates were really great with him. They definitely welcomed him to the team, included him as "one of them" and helped/coached him along."
"It was great fun and we received much questions about the games from several local people. We could spread the word!"
"The excellent care I rec'd at the hospital."
"Good team experiences."
"Rewarding when training pays off. This enables a lot of good publicity re: organ donation and life after transplant."
"The welcoming of smaller nations attending the games for the first time was especially rewarding. I hope to see their attendance grow at future games."
"This was my first World Transplant Games. Visiting with transplant athletes from other countries in the venues and on the shuttles meant a lot to me. Hearing others' stories about overcoming years of illness is what the Games are all about, for me. Athletes' and their families' stories are my greatest inspiration. I came away with an even deeper sense that the world is a small place and we have much in common and much to learn from one another."
"As always, its great to meet up with old friends and make new ones - its a constant inspiration to meet real battlers and heros. Meeting Lorian Graham at the time trial was a real treat."
"This was my first world games and they were everything I thought they would be and more. Great Job!".jpg)
"Nice place with very good people!! The volunteers are marvellous and dedicated to their works!! Thanks a lot!!"
"Meeting up with old friends from different countries."
"I was just grateful to be a part of the World Transplant games. to see and meet so many people who have had their lives touched by transplant and enjoying their second sometimes third chance at life is amazing."
"The medical care and the concern of volunteers about your health. Though all the volunteers were excellent and very friendly."
"The Australian staff, volunteers and indeed the citizens we interacted with make us want to return to Australia!"
"I got engaged to my girlfriend (now fiance) on the beach at sunrise. Doesn't really have much to do with the games themselves, but it does kind of stick out in my memory."
"No games are ever perfect but overall was a good experience, great weather, and people!"
"For me one of the most rewarding experiences is meeting up with old friends and seeing how well they are doing."
"I showed a junior how to bowl prior to the event and he got up and got the gold."
"The high and positive level of life and enjoyment that was shown by the recepiants was great."
"Although I received my kidney transplant 27 years ago, this was my first time participating at any Transplant Games. This was a gift to myself for my 60th birthday, and in memory and gratitude to my dad, who was my donor. He died in 2007, but he was 60 years old when he gave me one of his kidneys. I was very appreciative of the minute of silence for the donors and donor families at the Opening Ceremonies. The whole experience of the games made me feel like I truly belong to a global family of people who truly appreciate and love their lives and are thankful for being able to compete and participate. I will treasure it forever."
"I always knew that participating in these games would allow me to meet like minded people whose goals and life experiences were similar to mine; what I wasn't expecting was to learn so much about me."
"We had opportunities to share with locals our transplant stories & explain the games."