Transplant Games flag comes to UK HealthCare

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The Transplant Games of America’s National Flag Tour stopped at UK HealthCare on Thursday to celebrate organ donors and recipients on its way to the 2016 Games in Cleveland this June.

The Transplant Games of America (TGA) is an Olympics-style sport festival held every two years to show how transplants can transform lives. To compete, participants must be either transplant recipients, living donors, or a member of a donor family.

Prior to the TGA, the official flags of the event travel across the country to help raise awareness of organ donation and of the event itself. The flags are also signed by the members of each state’s TGA team. Members of Team Kentucky signed the flag today, and received a whopping $7,000 sponsorship from UK Hospital.

Karen Michul, a UK HealthCare employee and living kidney donor, will be participating in the Games for the second time this year, competing in several bowling events.

“Seeing the comraderie of the donor families and recipients at the Games is amazing,” Michul said. “And some of these people are meeting for the first time! It’s an emotional ride.”

Registering to become a donor is the most effective way to ensure you can save lives through donation and serves as a sign of hope to those who continue to wait. Everyone can register as a donor today at www.donatelifeky.org or by saying “YES” when you renew your driver’s license.