Natalie Christine Phillips
Team: Arizona
Age: 20
Hometown: Avondale
Transplant: Heart and double lungs 1989 & Kidney 1997
Event(s): 100 meter dash, Softball Throw, Team Volleyball, Team Bowling, and Individual Bowling.
My story: Natalie was labeled terminal during infancy, suffering from Pulmonary Hypertension. She survived multiple surgeries and finally received the heart and lungs that saved her life at age 11. The early past transplant medication damaged her kidneys and she was too fragile to wait the 3 to 4 years on the national waiting list. Her mother was fortunately a match and Natalie received her kidney. Natalie is living proof of a triple organ transplant recipient and a miracle.
My message to the world: I would like to spread the word that transplantation works. Thanks to donor families, transplant recipients live longer, happier, fuller lives. We are part of God's beautiful plan and the games give us the opportunity to honor donor families, and to celebrate life!