Advertisement
Mary Jo and Danny Rozmenoski, both 54, are attending the 2008 U.S. Transplant Games in Pittsburgh, Pa. The Games, held July 11-16, are Olympic-style events for athletes who have received organ transplants of every type. Athletes are competing for gold, silver and bronze medals in 12 sports, including track and field, swimming, tennis, basketball, cycling and golf.
The games have been presented biennially by the National Kidney Foundation since 1990. Participants are organized into 50 state teams.
On June 7, 2005, the Rozmenoskis’ son, Dustin, 23, died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. Years before, while a student in driver’s education class, he told his parents he wanted to be an organ donor. Mary Jo and Danny honored his wish.
“One of the biggest things is that we want his name to live on in remembrance,” Danny said. “This is one of the ways we can do that.”
Mary Jo and Danny will walk in the 5-kilometer remembrance walk, an event at the Games that blends recipients and donor families.
Mary Jo and Danny received a $1,000 scholarship from the University of Wisconsin-Madison to help with expenses for the trip. Mary Jo said they wanted to attend the games in 2006, but is glad they did not because the trip would have been too emotional.
“This will be a good year because we have had a few years of healing,” Mary Jo said. “We will be able to take a lot more of it in and appreciate it. There will be a lot of reflecting, remembering, honoring. It’s one of those steps to healing.”
Also attending the games is Donna Frett, 53, of McHenry, Ill. In 2005, Frett was in need of a liver transplant and Dustin’s choice to donate his organs saved her life. Frett and her family will be attending the games along with the Rozmenoskis. The two families have stayed in touch since Frett’s transplant.
“I was going to attend before I even knew they (the Rozmenoskis) were going to be there,” Frett said. “I’m so proud I get to share this experience with them.”
Donna said she wanted to go to the Games not only to honor Dustin’s memory, but to share an experience with others who have had transplants and see how life has gone on for them. She is participating in the 1,500-meter race and the five-kilometer remembrance walk.
“I feel like I can do this,” Frett said. “When I run these races, I know Dustin will be right there with me.”
Megan VerHelst is a reporter for the Jackson County Chronicle.
