USA: Two inspiring individuals from the Upstate are gearing up for a remarkable achievementārepresenting their community and country at the 25th World Transplant Games in Germany. This prestigious event, likened to the Olympics for transplant recipients, serves to celebrate life after transplantation and underscore the urgent need for organ and tissue donations.
Alan Stansell and Christine McCall embody resilience through their own personal journeys. Alan faced a life-threatening sudden cardiac arrest while jogging in 2020, a harrowing experience that culminated in a heart transplant at the University of South Carolina in 2022. With newfound vigor, he will compete in track and field, shot put, discus, and javelin, demonstrating the extraordinary potential that comes from a second chance at life.
Christine’s path has been equally challenging yet inspiring. After battling an autoimmune disease in her teenage years, she underwent a kidney transplant from her father. Two decades later, she faced another kidney failure crisis and took a bold stepāplacing a sign in her yard to seek a second living donor. This brave move led her to find a match, allowing her to reclaim her health and prepare for competition in track and field as well.
The World Transplant Games, which runs from August 17th, features 17 different sports, creating a vibrant platform for survivors to showcase their triumphs. For both Alan and Christine, facing their past tribulations has instilled a fearless spirit, propelling them forward to inspire others about the transformative power of organ transplantations and the profound importance of donations.
