Westminster Resident Missy Peterson Competes in U.S. Transplant Games

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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 Missy Peterson, a Westminster resident, who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at 18 months old and received a lung transplant at the age of 24.

Here is Missy’s story in her own words:

“I began the first journey of my life when I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of 18 months. I am now 37 years old and 13 years, 6 months post transplant. Growing up with a terminal illness was really the same to me as growing up healthy, since I only knew one way of living. I was able to do everything my friends did except for the frequent hospitalizations, and my family and friends treated me like a normal child. Into my high school and college years, my health began to deteriorate and my doctors began leading me to the next journey of my life.

At the urgencies of my doctors, I was listed in July of 1996 for a transplant and received one that December.

For the past 13 years, I have lived my life doing all the things I enjoy and more than I ever thought I would in my lifetime. I have participated in five U.S. Transplant Games and one World Transplant Games, taking in a total of 13 medals. I am in training once again for the 2010 U.S. Games in Madison. One of my biggest passions and the main event I compete in at the Games is swimming.

I am a firm believer that attitude is everything, and I am living proof that you can do whatever you put your mind to. Set goals for yourself, put a plan in place, and you will achieve those goals. Life has been good to me so far.”

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.