Transplant Games of America

Barbara Breckenridge

Barbara Breckenridge attended the Transplant Games of America in Birmingham Alabama this past July with Team Buffalo. While there Barbara celebrated her 25th anniversary with her kidney transplant which allowed her to become a member of the Quarter Century Club, thus the green jersey. The Quarter Century Club consists of transplant athletes that have reached the milestone of twenty five years or more with their transplanted organ. She is extremely grateful for her Donor family who at one of the worst times of their life said yes to Organ Donation July 31, 1999. On that day Barbara received one of their loved one’s kidneys, which changed her life forever. She thanks God everyday for that family and the amazing Renal professionals at the Erie County Medical Center Transplant Center. She has for many years been an advocate and Mentor to many Renal Patients and their families in the Western New York area and others across the Country.

Barbara has been competing in track and field events as a Transplant Athlete since 2002.Having traveled in many cities across the United States. She has also competed in the World Games in Australia, Sweden, South Africa, Argentina, Spain, Great Britain and Australia for a second time. She has won Approximately 90 medals.

These Games are held every two years, the US games on the even years and the World Games on the odd years. The Games are held to bring awareness to the importance of and the need for Organ and Tissue Donation and to showcase how lives are saved and changed through the process, how we can exceed, strive and again live our best lives. Most of the athletes have been very ill, sometimes for long periods of time and were given a second chance of life through Organ and tissue donation. We thank God also for the gift of medical technology and the incredible medical professionals that make all of this possible.

Barbara continues to try and make differences in the lives of others and their families on their journeys with kidney disease and transplantation. Again each day I thank God and my donor family for the Gift of Life!

Please consider Organ and Tissue Donation. Speak to your family members about your decision and encourage them also. Living Donation is also a possibility to save lives