Organ donors, recipients participate in Transplant Games

MUMBAI - Aiming to dispel common myths about organ donation, over 150 people, both donors and receivers, participated in the Transplant Games sports meet here Sunday.

“It is a pleasure to watch the enthusiasts coming from different parts of the country. This event has been inspiring not only for the many potential recipients and donors, but also the Foundation,” said Bharat Shah, founder of NGO Narmada Kidney Foundation that organised the event.

The participants defied the myth that one cannot perform physically tougher tasks after transplantation or donating organs, he said.

Competitions were held in disciplines like basketball, athletics and table tennis.

Cricketers Vinod Kambli and Wasim Jaffer attended the meet to encourage the participants. Kambli said he too had pledged his organs to the Foundation last year.

Participant Vinay G. Vijan said: “I donated my kidney about 14 months ago to my brother. I had apprehensions about the surgery, but I am physically fit and do all sorts of physical activities without difficulty.”