Celebrating Life: The 10th Canadian Transplant Games in Ottawa

Celebrating Life: The 10th Canadian Transplant Games in Ottawa

In less than a year, the heart of Ottawa will beat with a special rhythm as hundreds of transplant recipients, living donors, and donor families, along with their dedicated supporters, will gather for the highly anticipated 10th Canadian Transplant Games.

This momentous event, which serves as a symbol of life's extraordinary second chances, stands as a testament to the success of transplant procedures while also shining a spotlight on the critical need for organ and tissue donation.

“The Games highlight, in a really powerful and inspiring way, how organ donation transforms the lives of recipients, their families and communities,” explained Brenda Brown, President of the Canadian Transplant Association.

Previously, the Canadian Transplant Games have seen participants as young as four years old engaging in a diverse array of sports, including swimming, lawn bowling, cycling, track and field, and tennis. The Games are designed to be inclusive, welcoming athletes of all fitness levels and abilities. Over the course of a week, participants and their supporters are treated to a series of memorable events, including the grandeur of Opening and Closing ceremonies, a heartwarming family picnic, and an elegant gala.

The Canadian Transplant Games in Ottawa will be held August 2-9, 2024. This marks a historic first for the city, following successful editions held in Calgary, Toronto, Moncton, and Vancouver. Local organizers are in the final stages of determining the sports and additional activities that will be featured. Brown believes that Ottawa will witness an unprecedented turnout for the Games, given that this will be the first Canadian Games held since the onset of the pandemic.

She added, “We are expecting this will be our biggest Games ever as it’s been a long time since the transplant community could gather like this. There is a lot of excitement and anticipation across Canada in our community.”

In a touching tribute to the occasion, the Canadian Transplant Association commissioned a young artist, eighteenyear-old Ryley Mitchell, to craft a distinctive logo commemorating the Games. Mitchell, who received a heart transplant as an infant,designed the logo to reflect both the city of Ottawa and the people of the unceded Anishinaabe Algonquin territory where Ottawa is situated. Ryley's artistic statement explains the symbolism in the design, which was created in consultation with an Anishinaabe transplant recipient: "I chose braided sweetgrass to represent Indigenous culture as it has deep symbolism for First Nations. The three strands are resilient when they are braided together, just like our transplant community when we come together to celebrate life. This ties into the event of the games which brings recipients, donors, and their families together as a community."

As the clock ticks towards 2024, anticipation for Ottawa’s first Canadian Transplant Games continues to mount. Registration for the Canadian Transplant Games will open in early 2024, but organ and tissue donations are needed year-round.

Learn more about the Canadian Transplant Association and find out how you can get involved at canadiantransplant.com