Dear Friends,

The WTGF is in a state of rapid expansion of ripening and maturing as all good fruit does!

The World Games remain, as always, a very positive means which permits men and women of all countries, who have shared the common experience of suffering and victory over fatal illness, to confront each other on a field of sport rather than in hospital. But the time is past when the only purpose of the Games is to provide a powerful tool of physical and sporting rehabilitation to recipients of an organ transplant or to act as a surrogate second family.

In truth, helped by its success, the family has both enlarged and its character has changed in keeping with the rhythm of the surrounding society which has also changed, a society now searching for more equality and humanity. Our "family" has a need to say 'thank you' to the donors and to the doctors, an enormous need to press for more understanding, a desire to move things along and to make the general public more aware of the events which follow a fatality.

These ideas were, and are, those which are occasionally expressed in 'sound bite' form by society at large. Take for instance "The gift of an organ, the gift of life." "The right of the recipient, the duty of the donor." "It's only a matter of luck that a person is a recipient rather than a donor." "Illness strikes at random and is unforeseeable." "It touches every child and adult, perhaps a stranger but possibly a friend." "lt is society which needs the organs, it's not the doctors. "

Organ donation is an invaluable gift and we "the family" demonstrate its achievements. We show how valuable it really is.

Transplantation is the optimal treatment of end stage disease. The results are extraordinarily good. But we must appreciate that the act of organ donation is associated with both anguish and grief. It is a very difficult act.

The actual sporting and physical activity by transplant patients themselves has equally changed. Our self image as the miracle of survival which was present in the 80's has given way to the 90's with an accent on the quality of life. It now remains for us to invent and to determine what should happen in the year 2000. This might herald the birth of gentle militancy towards lack of donation and of a positive and helpful union of those who are suffering and waiting. One should not have to passively wait for those nations whose rates of donation have been abysmal or absent for 40 years,when donation in surrounding countries exists. History has shown that human energies can remove the prejudices and reticence which is responsible for such tragic inactivity. United we can provide such energies. To this end the returns of the general questionnaire, sent by WTGF to the representatives of the countries, show the numerous attempts of activists in their countries. They underline the need to come together and with WTGF adopt the best tactics. The returns underline the diversities of culture and opinions on important issues. They emphasize and point to role for the WTGF as an organ of support and helpful but non invasive influence.

We need to debate some important issues. The position and place of the disadvantaged athlete, elitism in general, relations with the media and with sponsors.

In response to these issues the intention of WTGF is:

To guarantee and make better the security of its competitors while maintaining the atmosphere of proper competition in the events.

To maintain the bonds of friendship between the competitors who meet eachother every two years and conserve the pioneer spirit and the spirit of family and friendship which has always been so characteristic of WTGF.

To improve by appropriate action the impact of the media and thus sensitise the general public to the results of transplantation and so promote donation of organs.

A mood to change, a vocation, security, friendship, effectiveness. Communication is vital. Briefly, a potentially powerful large federation must work effectively. It is the activities of each member country which make the big design feasible. It's also the elected councillors who will need to perform as project managers.