Local PA athlete to compete in ‘Transplant Games of America’

BELLEFONTE, Pa. (WTAJ) — Heather Leverington Dotterer from Bellefonte has officially packed her bags and is ready for a family road trip. But you might be wondering where she’s headed.

Heather is traveling to Birmingham, Alabama to compete in the Transplant Games of America . The games will be in Alabama from July 5-10.

According to CORE , the Transplant Games of America is a biennial, Olympic-style, multi-sport event just for organ transplant recipients and donor families.

“I have a full gamut going on. We’re going to start off with some ballroom dancing. Me and my husband do that together. I’m also doing ping pong track and field shot put and discus. And then I’m for our teams trying to put together a volleyball team. So we’ll see how that goes. And I’m playing darts,” Heather said.

Heather received a double lung transplant in November 2016 at UPMC. She has previously participated in four Transplant Games and two Transplant World Games.

Before her transplant, Heather was a dominant force in NCAA Division II women’s shot put and was named the NCAA Kansas Woman of the Year in 2002.

“So I started getting sick when I was like 22, 23 and got diagnosed with lupus. And then as time progressed, we noticed there was something going on with my lungs and I got diagnosed with polymyositis and by the time I was 38, it was time for a lung transplant. I was in a wheelchair. 15 liters of oxygen and just existing. So it was time for a transplant. And it saved my life,” Heather said.

The Games include over 20 competitions for recipients and living donors.

For over 30 years, the Transplant Games has honored the legacy of donors who gave the ultimate gift of life, celebrated the ever-growing living donation world, and saluted the recipients who gather to demonstrate that life-restoring transplantation has made a difference in their lives.

“Every night I, I thank God about it. We don’t know who that person is, but we wish we did because it’d be something we would love. It would be something that we would love to celebrate with her family at least, and celebrate her memory,” Anthony Dotterer, Heather’s husband, said.

Anthony will be competing in ballroom dance with Heather and will cheer her on with their son Asher. Heather feels confident about competing and has a message to share with others.

“There will be 17 people who will die today waiting on an organ. So if you have the opportunity to give someone a second chance after you are done, then that’s one of the best gifts you can ever give and continue your legacy through somebody else,” Heather said.

Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters .

Signature events at the Games include the opening ceremony, donor tribute and the Quarter Century Club Dinner.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.