Larry Hagman Events: 2008 NKF Transplant Games

Pittsburgh, PA

The 2008 National Kidney Foundation Transplant Games were held in Pittsburgh, PA from July 11-July 16. Larry Hagman was scheduled to appear at the games on Saturday and Sunday.

The Opening Ceremony was to start at 7:30, doors opening at 6:30, first come, first serve seating. Larry's wife Maj was spotted walking to her seat up front. She was sitting with the family of Larry's liver donor.

The ceremony started with several people, Larry included, holding up a Transplant Games banner, followed by a parade of athletes from all over the country. They entered the arena, and went to their seats. Next, speeches mixed with entertainment. There were many singers, all either transplant recipients, living donors, or family members of a recipient or donor. They were all talented, but one woman in particular stood out, Bonnie Nichols. She is a singer/songwriter and has a CD available. She sang a song about organ donation. Her husband died at 40 and was a donor.

Larry's speech was very entertaining. He was happy and energetic as usual. Larry introduced the oldest and youngest participants in the games, 80 and two respectively. He really got the crowd going by asking people who have had their transplants for 50, 30, 20, down to recent recipients to stand up in turn. After he sat down (still on stage) there were other speeches, including one really sad one by a woman who is waiting for a liver and has had 14 calls for a possible transplant that did not match for various reasons. Larry spoke again later. He asked all transplant recipients to show their scars to their neighbors on the count of five, then tossed his suspenders aside and pulled up his shirt! Larry's scars look like a peace sign!

Larry attended the swimming competition at Carnegie Mellon University on Sunday. At the swimming awards ceremony, Larry took photos with athletes and put medals around their necks. He clearly enjoyed himself!