A simple “thank you” just doesn’t seem enough for all of the support we received at the Games. Our sisterhood was evident in every aspect of this event.

We were fortunate to have the financial support of sponsors for our work onsite at the Games, and extend our warmest thanks to:


o Sandy Grossman, Melanie Boone, and Caryn Jacquish – Delegation dinner.
o Cindy DeNormandie and RCDs - Breakfasts for our delegation.
o Rosa LLanguno and the Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter – Note cards for the athletes.
o Candace Hogan – Hotel expenses.
o Pam Downey – Booth expenses.
o Liz Rodriguez – Travel expenses.
o MJ Insurance, Nancy Hay, Judith Distler, Beth Modica, and the Programming Team for their undesignated gifts in support of the Games.

A big thank you to the Transplant Games Committee, particularly Amy Bien, Stacy Tesar, and Liz Parisi for their efforts to assist us.

Phi Sigma Sigma’s participation would not have been possible without the foresight of the Foundation’s Board of Directors and Rosemary Straub, our Development Director. Rosemary managed countless phone calls and e-mails coming from all directions, yet always remained calm and focused.

Tracy Koch, Director of Housing and star representative for Supreme Council, worked as an outstanding volunteer at our booth and swimming event. Also, Tracy’s parents graciously hosted our delegation at a picnic at their home on Friday evening where her dad was the chef du jour.

Who else could have sweet-talked our way to the front of the line to meet the one and only Larry Hagman of the television shows “Dallas” and “I Dream of Jeannie?” Lisa Romero and Allison Brunner, both of you were amazing. Thank you for enabling our sisters from across the world to share our experiences at the Games.

Candace Hogan, Foundation Vice President, was the driving force in our advance work for the Games. Candace’s new BFFs (Gen Y term for “Best Friends Forever”) are the fine folks at the National Kidney Foundation. Candace, we love you with all of our kidneys, and we missed you!

Special thanks to those Board members who attended the Games with us. Nancy Hay (Nash) is always a hit, and this weekend was no different; she’s the “newly initiated” sister of the Gamma Tau, Epsilon Chi, Theta, and Iota Epsilon chapters! Thank you for your bedtime stories and for being a great roommate. Pam Downey, you are the true booth queen. Our booth was amazing thanks to your phenomenal talent and expertise. Elizabeth Rodriguez (aka “Flash”), thank you for your photo expertise. You truly captured the spirit of the Games. Heather Kelley, thank you for coordinating with our Web designers to make our blog possible. We can’t wait to see the Transplant Games scrapbook! In all seriousness, the hard work and support of our Foundation representatives means more than we can ever say.

Our biggest thanks goes out to the collegians – the ones who really made the Games special. Thank you to Gamma Tau (Northern Kentucky University), Epsilon Chi (Indiana University Southeast), Theta (University of Illinois) and Iota Epsilon (Indiana University-Kokomo). Your enthusiasm inspired us all to aim high! You provided hours of comic relief, stories and, most importantly, valuable volunteer work.

We wish that each of you could have experienced the joy, triumph, and love that we witnessed at the 2006 Transplant Games. While you may not have been by our side, we know that you were there in spirit. We cannot thank you enough for your continuous support of the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation.

Kim Hildred
Foundation President

Katie Herschede
Transplant Games Coordinator