Transplant Games of America Athlete Profile: Ryan Zinn
The 2014 Transplant Games of America are just around the corner! The olympic-style event, held July 11-15 in Houston, TX, is designed to celebrate the Gift of Life through transplantation, as well as highlight the need for more donors.
Thousands of individuals touched by donation will convene for the games, to cheer on transplant recipients as they participate in sports ranging from track and field to badminton. Ryan Zinn is one of the members of Team Ohio and will represent the Buckeye state at the national event! Read more about Ryan below.
Name: Ryan Zinn
Bronze medal winning 4×100 meter relay team in Durban, South Africa
Age: 41
Hometown: Columbus, OH
Connection to Donation: Heart recipient since September 26, 1988
Events: Track & Field – 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, shot put; Table Tennis – singles; Volleyball
What The Transplant Games Mean to You: It is an opportunity for me to help promote organ and tissue donation by demonstrating that recipients can have full, active lives. The Games also allow me to connect with old friends, meet new recipients and donor families, and enjoy a special community of people who understand the life that we all live. Lastly, the Games are my way to give hope and inspiration to others, whether they have recently received a new heart or they are on the waiting list. Being a 26-year heart recipient is rare, so I hope to demonstrate to others that anything is possible if we can just be given that precious second chance at life.