Delaware Recipient Makes Seventh Appearance In Transplant Games For Philadelphia

In Alabama this weekend, the world’s largest celebration of life will take place at the Transplant Games, with a big group from Philadelphia representing the Gift of Life program. Among the competitors is Oni Canai, a liver transplant recipient who will be competing for the seventh time. The games aim to raise awareness about the need for more organ donors and highlight the success of transplantation. Oni, now 20 and interning at the hospital that saved her life, is grateful for her second chance and encourages others to keep moving forward. Philadelphia is sending 46 athletes to compete in 20 different sports, with Oni leading the team in track and field. The games also coincide with the 50th anniversary of The Gift of Life program, which aims to sign up 50,000 new organ donors.

This weekend in Alabama, the world’s largest celebration of life, the Transplant Games, will take place, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation and celebrate the lives of transplant recipients. A group from Philadelphia, led by Oni Canai, a liver transplant recipient and Philadelphia Team captain, will participate in various track and field events, basketball, tennis, and darts. Oni, who received a liver transplant at Nemours Children’s Hospital when she was 10 months old, is now 20 and interning at the same hospital, eager to showcase her competitive spirit at the games for the seventh time.

Gift of Life, a nonprofit organization, is sending 46 athletes from Philadelphia to compete in Alabama, with the goal of promoting organ donation and transplantation. The Transplant Games bring together organ recipients, donors, and donor families from across the country, fostering a sense of camaraderie and understanding among those who have experienced the transplant process. Oni, studying biochemistry in college, embodies the spirit of resilience and gratitude, encouraging others to keep moving forward and embrace the brightness at the end of the tunnel.

This year’s Transplant Games coincide with the 50th anniversary of The Gift of Life program, which aims to register 50,000 new organ donors. The event represents a significant opportunity to showcase the success of organ donation and transplantation, as well as the ongoing need for more individuals to say yes to becoming organ donors. Oni’s story serves as an inspiring testament to the transformative power of organ donation, highlighting the importance of spreading awareness and fostering a supportive community for those affected by transplant procedures.


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