Hi! This is Aubrey Birden, of the Iota Epsilon Chapter (Indiana University-Kokomo). Today was amazing! I was excited to meet all the athletes here -- who I can relate to since I, myself, am a organ recipient. (My Dad donated his kidney to me when I was six years old.)

The smiling faces of volunteers, staff, donors, recipients and families were awesome. I loved watching everyone have a good time at the Expo and events. I felt like I was part of a big family with people I never met before! Even visitors to our Expo booth were so generous and loving, and had so much enthusiasm for the National Kidney Foundation.

Hearing others' stories and experiences was so touching.... I wish that all of my sisters could be here! If you could only imagine how incredible it is to watch these living, wonderful people who survived just like me as they compete and have a good time!

I loved being at the swimming competition today.... I was clapping along with everyone -- with people I did not even know. It was emotional watching people cheer and give hugs to the winners. Young kids to the elderly competed and won medal after medal. Most received their awards from a special person in their lives, like a family member or a friend, and earned a hug and kiss with pride for their survival and accomplishments.

I hope next year will be an even bigger turnout, with more Phi Sigs attending, because this is such a great opportunity that is so close to my heart.... I would appreciate *my* sisters being there with me, cheering me on in the competitions. I would cry my eyes out to see my sisters with me and others that went through what I did -- having a good time and winning medals!

Volunteering is always a great thing to do.... But if I could choose to volunteer for one thing the rest of my life, it would be for the National Kidney Foundation. And I hope the next big philathrophy event we do with the National Kidney Foundation will have so many sisters, people will be begging us to come back and volunteer again!

Aubrey Birden
Iota Epsilon, Indiana University-Kokomo