Moose Jaw Transplant Trot held a golf tournament fundraiser at the Deer Ridge Golf Course on Aug. 19, and the goal was to raise funds to support the Canadian Transplant Association.
Moose Jaw Transplant Trot is organized by Ferdinand Frey and Roxanna Gadd-Frey from Moose Jaw. Their son, Kevin Gadd, was the grateful recipient of a lung transplant back in 2014.
Gadd was born with a hole in his heart and pulmonary hypertension, and at age four he had to undergo an open-heart surgery at a specialist in Toronto. Throughout his childhood he faced several limitations and had to rely on medication for day-to-day life.
Back in 2010, he faced a new set of issues and saw a specialist in Edmonton. It was here that Gadd learned about increasing heart issues which made his lungs work overtime to keep up. He also heard for the first time that a lung transplant was an option.
In 2013, he fell ill and had to be flown back to Edmonton for assessment by his specialist. In 2014, the team rushed to test for the receptiveness of a transplant, and in a near-miraculous turn of events a donor was available only 13 days after the request was made.
For Gadd, the lung transplant meant a whole new lease on life.
The transplant that saved Gadd’s life now gives him the opportunity to spend time and play with his children, who are two-and-a-half and 11 years old. He said his kids are heavily involved in sports, and now thanks to the procedure, he is able to keep up with them.
Gadd wrote a letter of thanks to the family of the donor, but so far he hasn’t received any reply. This is okay, he said, because he understands that families will grieve differently and some may not want to draw attention to the circumstances around the donation.
Contacting your donor or the family of the donor is part of the organ donor program, and although recipients are encouraged to reach out, the family on the other end has the option to respond when and if they are ready to address it.
Gadd said he gets a lot of verbal support and many people say they want to sign up for the organ donor program, but not everyone puts the red sticker on their health card. Gadd takes no offence, of course, as this is a completely voluntary and personal decision.
Donating an organ is “one of the best things you can do,” said Gadd. “It is one of the greatest gifts.” Now he wants to pay it forward by offering support through the not-for-profit organization.
Moose Jaw Transplant Trot is an independently run not-for-profit organization that hosts a running and walking event every year in Moose Jaw. Beyond our city, Transplant Trots are held in several cities across Canada, and each Trot is organized by local volunteers who all work on behalf of the Canadian Transplant Association.
The Transplant Trot was created to celebrate life after a transplant, increase awareness, and to help increase the number of registered organ and tissue donors in Canada.
The 2023 Transplant Trot golf fundraiser took place at the Deer Ridge Golf Course and the shotgun event kicked off at 1:00 p.m. For anyone who missed the event and for those who are interested in helping to support those in the community who are in need of donors, the organization plans to hold a third annual golf tournament next year.
The organization also has a virtual trot that is organized though their Facebook page. The virtual trot allows individuals to walk at their own pace and submit their step count via their Fitbit app.
Those without the app can manually submit the number from either a step counter or from distances covered while cycling. Everyone is welcome to sign up and help support the cause no matter your schedule or location.
To donate through the Moose Jaw Transplant Trot or for more information, visit their website at MJTransplantTrot.ca.
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