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Published on 07/27/1998 All articles from this issue

LA resident taking part in U.S. Transplant Games

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Town Crier Staff Report

Olympic-style competition is not what most people think of when they hear someone had an organ transplant. They might imagine someone frail, with the new organ too fragile to withstand competitive athletic activity.

But Nancy Lonhart, a 39-year-old kidney recipient from Los Altos, dispels all preconceived notions as she prepares for just that sort of event.

Lonhart will demonstrate the life-restoring success of transplantation when she participates in the 1998 U.S. Transplant Games today through Saturday in Columbus, Ohio. She will join 1,500 other transplant athletes representing 50 state teams from across the country.

Lonhart, part of the Northern California team, will compete for medals in track and field. She and the other competitors will also take part in a special ceremony honoring the donors and their families.

"The event calls attention to the special gift of organ donation," Lonhart said.

Legendary basketball star Oscar Robertson, a 12-time NBA All-Star and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, will be presenting medals as the honorary spokesman. Last year, Robertson donated one of his kidneys to his daughter Tia, who suffered from kidney failure.

Actor Larry Hagman, a kidney recipient himself, will also attend the games.