Issue link: https://tmcpulse.uberflip.com/i/339692
t m c » p u l s e | j u ly 2 0 1 4 19 L I V E R R E C I P I E N T Memorial Hermann Hospital— Texas Medical Center, 2006 Events: 5K, Cycling, Volleyball, Track & Field After receiving a transplant, your eyes and heart open up to what is important and meaningful in life. Love God and your family, and make a difference in people's lives. That's it. Don't worry about the rest. Life is too short not to enjoy it. I enjoy cycling, running, playing soccer, camping and gardening. I am also a volunteer for Life Gift. D I S C U S PETER Age 58 C Y C L I N G S H A N N O N — M O M O F R O Y H E C K , M I C H A E L' S D O N O R Events: Donor Family Tribute A couple months after Roy passed away, I woke up with this need to make blankets. And I'm not a crafty person, people can tell you. But it felt like literally it was God speaking to me. Hospitals, especially up in the ICU floor, are really cold. Even though it was March, and we were wearing flip-flops and shorts, it was so cold. So that's where the need for blankets came from, to bring warmth and comfort. So I started making these blankets and donating them to Life Gift. We call our blanket ministry It's a 'Heck' of a Blanket. Even with the loss of Roy, I always have to keep it conscious in my mind that it's okay to live life, to love life and to enjoy it. We get so bogged down with our jobs, and our life is so busy that sometime you just have to stop, get on the ground and play with the grandkids. Roy has taught me how to live, that's for sure. D A R T S CARLA Age 50 V O L L E Y B A L L H E A R T R E C I P I E N T Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center, 2011 Events: Cycling, 5K, Bowling, Track & Field I compete because it gives me a chance to show that I am taking the best care of the heart that was given to me and I hope it gives the donor families a bit of comfort to see what their gift has given to someone else. It also lets me try to be an athlete like I once was before being diagnosed with my genetic heart disease. D O U B L E L U N G R E C I P I E N T Houston Methodist Hospital, 2008 & 2013 Events: Volleyball, 5K, Cornhole I compete to inspire those who are waiting to not give up. And also for my donor family, for making such a huge sacrifice, and for my family and friends for all the love and support they have given me. I love crafting and cooking. I'm very active in my church, and I enjoy traveling with my granddaughter Madison. H E A R T R E C I P I E N T Houston Methodist Hospital, 2010 Events: Darts, Ballroom Dancing I first became involved with Transplant Games because my wife works at Texas Children's Hospital and had the opportunity to go to the 2012 games with the renal transplant kiddos. I had my first heart attack at age 35 and then had another four in the next twenty-plus years. I spent 46 days in the hospital waiting for my heart. I was given the gift of life by a young man name Roy. RUBEN Age 42 MICHAEL Age 63 & DONOR MOM SHANNON AMANDA Age 25 B A S K E T B A L L H E A R T R E C I P I E N T Texas Children's Hospital, 2003 Events: Basketball, 5K, Track & Field The gift of organ donation says so much about our capacity for great compassion and generosity. Twelve years ago my cardiologist told me I would never play sports again. When I saw the flyer for the Transplant Games, I saw an oppor- tunity to prove him wrong. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, baking, volunteering, reading and spending time with my niece and nephew.