Team Louisiana to participate in 2024 Transplant Games of America

Transplant recipients from throughout the state of Louisiana will

participate in the 2024 Transplant Games of America (TGA) in Birmingham, AL on July 5th

through 10th. Team Louisiana is made up of transplant recipients, donor families, living

donors and professionals from the transplant and donation community. Team LA’s 30 plus

athletes will compete in events such as cycling, swimming, volleyball, track and field,

basketball, poker, cornhole, bowling, ballroom dancing and more.

Team Louisiana’s 30 plus athletes plan to compete in the five day Olympic style events.

Angela Bourg is a first time participant in the National Transplant Games of America, or TGA.

Angela says, “It’s the Olympics for transplant patients. Those who’ve received an organ donation or eye or tissue donation. They can compete nationwide against other athletes. “

She’s a first year Athlete… And a 25 year, Family Medicine Physician in New Iberia… until…

“Suddenly, went into heart failure and then woke up in New Orleans on the transplant list. And three weeks later received a 20 year old handsome young man’s generous gift of a heart.”

Her first appearance, will be in the Birmingham Transplant games, in the cycling competition.

Mark Nelson, makes his 2nd trip to the Transplant Games.

He’s a recipient of a heart transplant, nearly four years ago… it was two years ago he realized while their competing against other teams, and players. Their similarities created quite the bond.

Mark says, “Everybody had been on that same path and getting illness, getting sicker, having multiple hospitalizations, stays, and we all eventually spent time in ICU. And a lot of us had machines to keep us alive.”

As a Soccer Referee, He’s always been active. He wanted to stay that way since getting his heart transplant…competing in cycling, basketball, and golf.

But, none of that; possible…without his heart donation… It came on a day Mark will never forget… Tuesday Feb. 9th 2021!

Mark remembers, “And I’ll never forget her words. She looked at me and she said, Mr. Nelson, we have a heart for you, and it’s a perfect match. And from that time on, my life was changed.”

And it’s that moment, that all these Tranplant Games participants can relate too…

Suzanne Morton – LOPA’s Community Educator

“Without these donor heroes, these people who are living life again to the fullest would not be here. And right now there’s over 100,000 people on that national waiting list.”

TGA honor the lasting legacy of donors who have given the ultimate gift – the gift of life, and all those involved in the donation process.

The Games take place every two years, and this year it starts on July 5th and run through July 10th.