3. Opening Ceremony

Today is a special day- the Opening Day of the Transplant Games. It began with the #ReasonToGive - Dresden’s Organ Donation Run in the beautiful Great Garden of Dresden at the Palais. Needless to say Marie, Amanda and moi- the non runners were already on the golf course having a practice- no surprise there.

3pm-The Parade of Nations took place through Dresden’s City Festival to the newly built Ballsport Arena, Dresden. 50 countries taking part, it was a colourful event. Team Ireland - led by Kilkenny athlete Mags Kirwan ( aka Roadrunner!) .
We were legging it just to keep up with her.

Today the photos tell the story. As the Athletes, country by country filed one by one into the stadium, the last group to enter are the Donor families and the living Donors. ( There is a sports program within the Transplant games for the Donor families and Living Donors.) Even now- I can still feel that emotion as they walked in. The love, the appreciation, the gratitude- the stands and stands of Transplanted Athletes and families just spontaneously stood and clapped and clapped and clapped as they entered the stadium. It’s something I’ll never forget. These families and the living Donors all represent the gift we have received.

We are the lucky ones- the Donor families and living Donors- they are the heroes.
In the words of the WTG President today- Forget living each day as if it’s your last -“Live every day as if it’s your first “

Absolutely 💯

💕Pam

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