Seven Baptist transplant survivors were part of Team Mid-South, a group of local organ transplant recipients, living donors and loved ones who competed in the Transplant Games of America in Houston. The team of 16 won a total of 10 medals. Baptist heart transplant survivors claimed two: John Gaines won a gold in the corn hole toss and Troy Harris took home a silver in the 1,500 meter track and field event. Harris also joined the Quarter Century Club for living more than 25 years after receiving a transplant.
The team included Baptist colleague and heart transplant recipient Donald Hines and William Bradshaw, a heart transplant survivor and member of Baptist Memphis’ Patient and Family Advisory Council. Bryan Lawton, Elbert McKay and Tina Milligan were the other Baptist transplant survivors who participated in the games.
The Transplant Games of America® is a biennial event that recognizes the accomplishments of individuals whose lives have been affected by eye, organ, and tissue donation. More than 3,500 participants from across the United States participated in this year’s event, designed to promote awareness of the life-changing impact that donation represents today. Teams from virtually every state competed in a variety of sporting and non-sport competitive events to demonstrate how their lives have been changed through the gift of life as a result of organ, eye, and tissue donation.