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Liver Recipient Medals In Transplant Games

Engebretson Has Soft Spot For 'Burgh

POSTED: 5:31 pm EDT July 13, 2008
UPDATED: 6:43 pm EDT July 13, 2008

A girl who came to Pittsburgh 25 years ago for an experimental transplant surgery showed off her medals after competing in the U.S. Transplant Games in the city over the weekend.

Trine Engebretson won a gold medal on Sunday and a silver medal on Saturday. She gave one of her medals to the family of the girl who donated a liver to her in 1984.

Watch The Report From WTAE Channel 4 Action News reporter Shannon Perrine

Hollywood star Larry Hagman, a liver transplant recipient himself, awarded the medalists at the games on Sunday.

With every medal came another story of success from the generosity and selflessness of another family.

"I've done a lot of smiling and crying. They're happy tears, but a lot of tears," said Engebretson, who met the family of her donor, Amanda DeLapp, for the first time last week. Amanda was 18 months old who died of a brain tumor and her parents agreed to donate her organs.

Trine said that holding the games in Pittsburgh means a lot to her.

"Pittsburgh is always near and dear to my heart because this is where I was transplanted. Dr. (Thomas) Starzl performed my surgery almost 25 years ago," Engebretson said. "I always had a soft spot for Pittsburgh. But now that I got to meet my donor family -- my new family members here in Pittsburgh -- it's a much deeper soft spot in my heart and I'll never forget this."

Trine Engebretson
Trine Engebretson
The U.S. Transplant Games is a chance for transplant recipients to show how much they are thriving. It's also a chance to spread the word to others: decide if you want to be an organ donor and make sure your family knows about that decision.

"For people who still haven't made their wishes known about being an organ donor, simply please talk to your families and let your wishes be known so that, God forbid, that time ever comes, you can help the hundred-thousand people that are still waiting," Engebretson said.

The U.S. Transplant Games run through Tuesday with closing ceremonies on Tuesday night.

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