Memorial resident wins big at the Transplant Games of America

Austin Magruder, a Memorial resident who received a kidney transplant at the Methodist J.C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center in Houston in 2001, won three medals in cycling at the Transplant Games of America held from July 28-31 in Grand Rapids, MI.

According to the press release, the event is designed to give transplant recipients the opportunity to celebrate the gift of life through sports and meet others who have gone through similar experiences.

"Being able to compete in this way after my transplant and win a gold and silver medal is an incredible experience," Magruder said in the release. "My mom was my donor and she also won a medal in the 5K race, so it was a great weekend for both of us."

Magruder was part of Team Texas that won more than 60 medals in swimming, three-on-three basketball, cycling, track and field, 5K run, bowling and golf. He said his participation in the event is proof that he can live a normal life, despite his condition.

"Competing in the Games is evidence that transplant patients can go on to live normal lives," said A. Osama Gaber, director of the transplant center, in the release. "To see how sick many of these patients are before transplant and how they are now healthy enough to physically compete is a triumph for these amazing people."

For more information, visit transplantgamesofamerica.org.