Denver Resident James Watson Competes in U.S. Transplant Games

Subscribe in a reader

A local group of athletes who share a unique bond are coming together for an athletic competition unlike any other—the National Kidney Foundation 2010 U.S. Transplant Games. Sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, the Games are an Olympic-style competition for recipients of life-saving transplants, including kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas and bone marrow. Organized by the National Kidney Foundation Serving CO, MT, and WY, Team Rocky Mountain will participate in the event to be held July 30 to August 4 in Madison, Wisconsin.

One athlete from Team Rocky Mountain is James Watson, a Denver resident, who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis and received a double lung transplant in 2005.

Here is James in his own words:

“I am 33 years old and am living with Cystic Fibrosis; all my life, I have had to do multiple breathing treatments a day and take many antibiotics. Five years ago my lungs and breathing were getting worse and not responsive to the medications, so I was placed on the lung transplant list as a precaution. In May 2005 I was moved to the very top of the list, since I had acquired diabetes and my lungs had not improved. On May 31 the call came at 10:30 pm that they had a donor match for my new lungs. In the early morning of June 1, I went to the hospital for my double lung transplant.

After the transplant came a lot of rehabilitation, walking, and exercise. Then I started playing racquetball again, lifting weights, but wasn’t quite ready for my real passion, ice hockey.

In October 2005 I suffered a severe bowel blockage, which required a drug-induced coma, which was a 12 day event. I was hospitalized for 23 days and lost over 20 pounds.

It took a couple months to gain the weight back and get back into the shape. I am happy to say now I am back playing ice hockey again, once a week for men’s recreational league team. I have attended two U.S. Transplant Games and the World Transplant Games in Finland.

At these games I have met many new and wonderful people who I hopefully stay friends with forever. I plan to attend as many Transplant Games as I can! “

Held biennially, the National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games draw transplant athletes from across the country who compete for gold, silver and bronze medals in one or more of 12 sports, including cycling, golf, racquetball, swimming, tennis, and track and field events. With an anticipated 7,000 athletes participating, the 2010 U.S. Transplant Games promise to be the largest-ever gathering of transplant recipients.

More than 100,000 Americans are currently waiting for transplants of vital organs. Eighteen people die each day while waiting.

For questions or to find out how you can support Team Rocky Mountain, call Lynn Hellickson at 720.748.9991 ext. 113 or visit www.transplantgames.org.