July-August, 2010

Sarah competed in her third U.S. Transplant Games. She won gold medals in tennis and basketball as part of the Team Michigan squad during the competition in Madison, Wisconsin. Sarah also served as a counselor during a summer camp for young transplant recipients and prepared to begin her Junior year at Michigan State.

We will continue to post updates.

July-August, 2009

Sarah successfully underwent several major surgical procedures at Children's Hospital on Wednesday, July 22, 2009. The open chest procedures included repairing the tricuspid valve and reducing the size of her heart's upper right chamber which had become abnormally large due to the valve issues. Doctors were very pleased with the outcome and with Sarah's progress following surgery. On August 10th, just under three weeks after the surgery, Sarah returned home and she was back in East Lansing in time for the resumption of classes at MSU in September.

June, 2009

Sarah successfully completed her first year of college at Michigan State University in East Lansing. In addition to other summer activities, Sarah has been working regularly as a volunteer at Children's Hospital.

August, 2008

Sarah took part in her second Transplant Olympics this summer following her graduation from high school and before beginning her freshman year at Michigan State University.

Sarah was again a medalist at the games. She also earned the Youth Achievement Award this year from the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce. With great effort and support, she also won a varsity letter in track at Grosse Pointe North.

photos courtesy Grosse Pointe News

Monday, June 25, 2007

Sarah joined a group of "Student Ambassadors" through the People to People program traveling to Europe this summer.

During their three weeks overseas, the group visited France, Italy and Greece.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Sarah, her family and other members of Team Michigan are back from the Transplant Olympics
---and they came home with the gold.

Dianne, Emily, Sarah and Jim in Louisville

The Transplant Olympics started 20 years ago, at a time
when nobody thought that organ transplant recipients would be able to continue competing in sports. Sarah not only competed, she took won the Gold Medal at this year's games in Louisville, Kentucky. She took the gold for her age group in Tennis and another Michigan team member took the bronze!

The McPharlin family says the entire trip was a never-to-be-forgotten experience, bringing together transplant recipients from across the country along with many donors and donor families.

A Letter from Sarah sent in advance of the trip:

Dear friends and family,
Hi. I have some exciting news and wanted to share it with you.
I am going to Louisville, Kentucky to compete in the U.S. Transplant games in June. I will be an athlete representing Team Michigan.
I will compete in tennis, swimming and bowling. My family and I will also be walking in the 5K organ donation walk/run.
I am very proud to be part of this team.
This Olympic-type ceremony brings recipients, donors or donor families, and medical personnel together to help promote and celebrate organ donation. It is the largest donor awareness activity in our country.
I will walk every step in honor of my donor, her family, all who cared for me at Children's Hospital, and for all of you.
You will never realize the strength I drew from your support.
Each team member is asked to generate funds to support this cause.
That is where I would like to ask for your help in raising money for the Organ Transplant Cause. If possible, any contribution, large or small, is greatly appreciated.
Please send your tax-deductible donation to:

National Kidney Foundation of Michigan
1169 Oak Valley Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108

Be sure to include my name and Team Michigan on the bottom of your check.
For those who are not able to contribute, I know that you will be with me in Spirit. I will be sure to write and tell you about my experience.

Gratefully yours,
Sarah McPharlin

For more information, log on to:
www.transplantgames.org
 

Summer 2005

Sarah overcame another challenge thanks to the skilled team at Children's Hospital of Michigan
and with the encouragement and support of family and friends

On August 3, 2005

Sarah underwent brain surgery due to a continuing problem with seizures. The seizures began shortly after Sarah received her heart transplant and  increased i in both number and severity over time.

Doctors determined there was a strong likelihood that surgery to remove a small section of brain tissue would reduce or entirely eliminate the seizures.

The surgery appears to have been very successful and Sarah made a rapid recovery.
She was released from the hospital on Monday, August 8 and was fully recovered before the start of the new school year.

In fact, within a week of the surgery Sarah was swimming again. Shortly after that, Sarah tried out and won a spot on her high school tennis team!

In addition to solving a medical problem, Sarah also took advantage of the hospital stay to win a contest with her dentist. He offered a prize to the patient who wore a T shirt with a little dog in braces in the most unusual or challenging location.

So Sarah had this photo taken inside the operating room. Like Sarah...it was a winner!