The family whose son saved lives - and whose powerful story gave me chills!

By Danni Pascuma
Alumna Volunteer
Gamma Zeta - University of Rhode Island

THE FIRST TIME I CAME TO THE GAMES TWO YEARS AGO, I was a collegian, and the event was held in Pittsburgh. I was blown away by the love and connectedness that all of the participants had for and with each other. I knew that I had to come back again to experience this truly amazing tradition!

The Packhems and Phi Sig alumna
Danni Pascuma (far right)

Now, as a recently graduated alumna, I have joined the Phi Sigma Sigma forces once again to volunteer here in Madison, Wisconsin. The 16 hours that I drove from New York City is a small price compared to what many of these families have been through. The transplant athletes have risen above all to compete this week in good health. The living donors have literally given a piece of themselves to save friends, family or even a stranger in need, and the donor families whose mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters have left a lasting legacy that lives on within others, gather to honor their loved ones. All of these groups - plus the incredible supporters that have come to recognize and cheer on the participants - make the U.S. Transplant Games a culture all its own.

In the midst of the pin-trading frenzy (that you may never understand unless you have been here), having the chance to listen to everyone’s story of strength in the face of adversity is at the heart of the Games. This is beyond a doubt my favorite part of volunteering. Saturday morning as I was volunteering at the Foundation booth at the Expo, I met the Packhem family from Warwick, RI. Their story still gives me the chills.

When 16-year-old Timothy asked his parents what the heart on a license was, they explained it meant the person was an organ donor. He responded that when he was to get his license in the upcoming months, he wanted to be an organ donor, too. They didn’t know that a few weeks later, they would have to honor that request. Timothy saved four lives that day by donating his heart, liver, kidney, and lungs.

In 2008, a year after their son’s passing, the Packhems chose to attend their first U.S. Transplant Games in memory of their son. One night after an event, they decided it would be too difficult for a cab driver to find them at the Games location, so took a shuttle bus to a random hotel that could find them a cab home. They landed at a DoubleTree. As they were awaiting their cab’s arrival, a gentleman commented on Mr. Packhem’s Red Sox hat. They began talking, and he told that he was a double lung recipient from Central New York. This man, whose name is Bobby, received Timothy’s Packhem’s lungs.

The Packhem family is one of the many who travel to these Games and have the opportunity to meet the men and women who were given a second chance at life. These are strong, generous families who are determined to see something positive come from their grief. Every single one of these people is exceptionally inspiring, and it is because of them that I feel so connected with the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation and will keep coming back!

As a volunteer, I know that the transplant community is truly grateful for us being at the Games. They never stop thanking us for the support and dedication that is shown through the Foundation. I am proud to be able to support events like the National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games, and I am honored to be able to stand with the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation in the fight against kidney disease.