Ian's Observations

The following is an observation made by Ian Mingay while participating in his first World Transplant Games in 1991. (Unfortunately, Ian passed away a few years ago)

After our swim heats were over on Wednesday August 27th, an American swimmer and I went out for lunch. Before leaving the hotel he called the American Embassy to see if the American Team might be given an audience (like some of the other teams, including Team Canada.) with their U.S. Ambassador.

It seems very sad that this embassy did not even know that the U.S. Transplant Team was in Budapest. They did not know the team even existed.

This swimmer was travelling all over Europe to swim at different Y.M.C.A.'s helping to promote organ donor awareness. You would think that he deserved some media coverage by the American press.

It is a sad commentary that not very many countries had any television or radio attention when all other types of "Olympics" (Special Olympics for example) come under close scrutiny.

Ian Mingay
Kidney Transplant Recipient
8th World Transplant Games in Budapest, Hungary, August 26th-31, 1991