As a donor mom, having lost my 13 year young son Christopher in a bicycle accident in May of 1997, I attend the games for the second time, returning once again to Disney. In 2000 I embarked on the games with absolute apprehension, not certain what to expect, with hopes of meeting other donor families from around the country, and to be a spectator as the athletes participated in their events.

During those 2000 games I quickly discovered the kinship in the community of transplantation, whether a donor family member, a recipient, a family supporter, or a committed staff member of an OPO or NKF affiliate. Feelings were allowed and welcomed.

Now I return in 2002 as a Donor Family Liaison, a new role developed by the National Kidney Foundation, a role to coordinate with donor families to encourage them to attend the games, to participate in the Giving, Grieving, Growing workshops, and to share the donor recognition ceremonies, support athletes as they participate in their events, and to create more public awareness for organ and tissue donation.

As the Donor Family Liaison I had the distinct honor of carrying the team placard into the stadium first with the team as they entered, feeling very proud to be a part of the athletes, sharing in their excitement as they began their journey. Then as I went beneath the stadium to return to the donor family members of Team Philadelphia I became overwhelmed with the feeling that my son, Christopher was right there with me in spirit and his angel wings were riding on my shoulders.

As the donor families entered the stadium to an incredulous standing ovation the feelings became overpowering. I could feel the tears streaming my cheeks, a tear of sorrow for my son's death, a tear of joy for the love and happiness he had given me, a tear of pride for his gift of life given to three.

The following day donor families, recipients, friends, and supporters attended the donor recognition ceremonies at the Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine. I had attended several recognition ceremonies previously, and thought I was prepared for this one. I was not. I shared the event with other donor families from our team, my sister Kim, and Susan a friend from the team who is a kidney pancreas recipient. As we sat through the ceremony I found myself without a protective wall and the emotions of sorrow, loss, and grief were forefront. As I returned to my seat after receiving the Gift of Life Medal I began sobbing. Susan reached out and held my hand. I felt at peace, soothed by the healing hands of a caring and kind recipient.

On Thursday evening the donor families from our team gather in one of the All-Star resorts food courts for caring and sharing. We shared the day of emotions, stories of our loved ones, and our feelings of the games and how it was helping us to heal.

Then on Friday I had the pleasure of facilitating along with Jim Gleason, a heart recipient, and Howard Nathan, CEO/President of Gift of Life Donor Program a workshop about volunteering. It was inspiring to see how many donor families want to get involved in the public awareness of organ and tissue donation and find ways to get others involved.

As a spectator, I got to feel the gift given to the athletes, watching them play and work hard at their particular event. If never before certainly now donor families know they made the right decision. Knowing that my son's gift has allowed others to live a normal and fulfilled life is rewarding.

Then I had the comfort of presenting the medals to the under 14 boys badminton winners, even now I am filled with tears as I think about the feelings of lifting those medals and placing them on their shoulders. Connecting in yet another way with recipients, very much feeling as though I was placing those medals on my son's shoulders.