The Canadian Transplant Games

The Canadian Transplant Games were held for the first time in 2000. These Games are held every two years, usually in early August and last for four days. All persons aged 5 to 90 years, who received an organ donation during their life, whether of the heart, liver, lung, pancreas, small intestine or of the bone marrow, may participate in the Canadian Transplant Games.

During the Games, there are compulsory and optional competitions to suit all ages. The competitions are mandatory: badminton, bowling, golf, bowling, running three to five kilometers, walking three and five miles, swimming, table tennis and tennis. During the Games, two optional sports among dragon boat, rowing, squash, volleyball, cycling are selected. Moreover, at each Games a friendly competition between athletes from eastern and western Canada must be organized. Over the years, this event has become increasingly important. At their inaugural year, the Games were held in Quebec City, Sherbrooke and had attracted about 80 participants. In 2002, 150 people participated in the Games of St. John's, Newfoundland. Games held in 2006 in Edmonton, Alberta, in turn, attracted about 325 athletes, not spectators. In 2008, Windsor, Ontario, hosted 200 participants with many supporters. For 2010, the scheduled event takes on greater importance, given the growing interest in recent years. Indeed, we expect the arrival of over 200 athletes.

The Canadian Transplant Games are meant primarily as an opportunity to raise awareness about the cause of organ donation. They celebrate this gift of life by combining competition and camaraderie. They also demonstrate that despite a transplant, while still possible. Transplant athletes who participate in the Games are for fun, but also to express their gratitude to the families of donors. The Canadian Transplant Games are main objectives: Increase the donation of organs and tissues in Canada and elsewhere; Demonstrate that we can achieve a healthy life after transplant; Promote the success of organ donation and transplantation; Increase awareness, educate and encourage the public to consider the donation of organs and tissues;

Offer hope to more than 4,000 Canadians waiting for organ donation; Create an environment for games built on the contributions, skills and gifts of community volunteers, corporate sponsors and all levels of government; Leave a legacy to all those involved remembering the value of volunteering, the community and organizational development.