Drive for Five: It's a Grand Slam

Ever since "Drive for Five" decided to use sports as the catalyst to encourage more live organ donations and less kidney/liver disease, cool projects continue to emerge. Sometimes, the obvious is front and center yet shielded from observation.

From years as a competitive athlete and five decades of sports reporting on television, radio and currently Sports Illustrated columnist? Athletics dominate my DNA. Seven months removed from donor Cathie Hitchcock and AdventHealth Colorado teaming to offer a 66-year-old a new lease on life? Gratefulness and purpose emerge from every breath taken.

Advocates for more live organ donations and less kidney/liver disease are facing an uphill battle. The need for the former to increase and the latter to decrease is an expanding American health care crisis. More than 100,000 languish on lists. Many will die on those lists considering our nation, from deceased and live donors, annually has less than 30,000 transplants. The gap is growing in large part because of America’s unhealthy dietary habits and the alarming rise in the kidney/liver killers: high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.

To help fight back and achieve the goals and overcome the challenges of eliminating this preventable problem, DFF strongly advocates for the following: Sports as the connector, education the ignitor and saving lives the inspiration in encouraging others to share their spare kidney or lobe of liver offering someone, your scribe included, a new lease on existing in healthy and productive fashion.

I know, a lot of words. Talk is cheap. This sports-crazy dude grew up in Missouri and was taught early and often: “Show me.”

Thanks to the civic-minded spirit of the Colorado Rockies that’s exactly what DFF and its wonderful partner, Living Liver Foundation (LFF), plan this upcoming baseball season. The Rockies are hosting a Living Donor Awareness Game at Coors Field! Exact date is still to be determined. It will probably be in April considering its national Donate Life Month. The goal is to spread awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation and honor those who gave the gift of life.

The Living Donor Awareness Games are the vision of David Galbenski . Five years ago, a brother-in-law of the huge baseball fan donated a lobe of liver. The gracious gesture helped the Detroit-based entrepreneur overcome a rare disease destroying his vital organ and threatening to kill him.

Much like your scribe, inspired because of this rebirth Galbenski created the games and has held them in partnership with the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves. The games have also been hosted at several minor league ballparks and, collegiately, with the Wake Forest University baseball program.

DFF and LFF’s goal moving forward? Take this wonderful celebration to EVERY major league park, hundreds of minor league facilities and use Wake Forest as the springboard to dive into the college market. Sports is the connector, education the ignitor and saving lives the inspiration.

The signature moment of Living Donor Awareness Games? The first-pitch ceremony. A donor, for example DFF ambassador Crissy Perham, throws out the first pitch to a recipient. Powerful visual reminder of one human tossing a life-saving gift to another. For Perham, a twice gold and silver butterfly medalist at the ’92 Barcelona Games, her recipient was Dick Franklin. This fine fellow is the father of five-time Olympic gold medalist and swimming darling, Missy Franklin.

Perham is ready for the pre-game ceremonial first pitch. When meeting with the Rockies on a sunny but chilly winter day in Denver? The San Antonio resident was eager to mount the Coors Field mound and work on her delivery. The dynamic mom of two is a competitor. She sees it, believes it and plans on achieving it. The recruitment of Dick has begun!

Through the sports world and connections made over time, the Living Donor Awareness Game team has its sights set next on the Royals, Cardinals and Cubs. With patience, someday all major league parks and beyond. World domination and awareness to the value of live organ donation.

Thanks Rockies. It’s almost time to play ball, celebrate life, raise awareness and educate. A grand slam of goodness!