MEDICINE
ORGAN DONATION
Fact and Figures
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WINTER 2023: 75
just six weeks after his transplant, Stokes ran the Tailgate 2
Miler in Viera.
Nearly a year had passed when, in March 2018, he developed a
stricture, which is a narrowing in the bile duct, resulting in a rash
and an abnormal elevation of liver enzymes. After having stents
placed in the duct, his symptoms disappeared. After six months,
the stents were removed and he has had no issues since.
“I remember over that weekend I ran the Excalibur 10 Miler
while my family was in town, prior to my hospital visit that
Monday, and I still don’t think the medical team knew I had
competed in that race prior to the procedure,” he said.
IMPRESSIVE RESULTS
In the past five years, Stokes has completed more than 170
structured events.
During 2018, a time he refers to as his comeback year, he
completed a half iron triathlon, the Salt Lake City Transplant
Games of America, a Gulf Coast Cycle Fest 100 mile ride, a 3.75
mile Bridge to Bridge swim and one of his favorite hometown
events, the annual Space Coast Marathon, along with several
other local events.
The following year, he and Deb traveled to Newcastle, England,
where they met many transplant recipients at a World
Transplant Games event, all whom had their own inspiring
stories. He returned with three gold medals in a 5k road race, a
1,500-meter race and a 400-meter race.
In 2021, he completed five obstacle course races, four of which
are known as the Spartan Trifecta. This entailed a variety of
skills — and left him even more confident that he could face
any challenge.
After COVID cancellations in 2020 and early 2021, the TGA
games returned in 2022 and the couple was ready to get back
to traveling.
“My goal was to perform at a higher level than I had accomplished
in 2018,” Stokes explained.
After eight events at the San Diego games, he had first place
medals in the 5k road race, the 1,500-, 800- and 400-meter
events; a second place in the 500-yard freestyle swimming race;
and a third in the 200 individual medley.
“My husband, Tom, is the most driven, determined and, I dare
say, stubborn individual I know,” Deb Stokes said. “I continue to
ask myself how he is now able to accomplish all he has during
these last five years.”
Stokes plans to travel to Perth, Australia, to the WTG next year.
He has also committed to three marathons.
“My goal is to continue to train, compete and most of all enjoy
the precious gift of life,” he said.
“I encourage everyone to learn more about the importance of
organ donation, the greatest gift one can ever give.”
• More than 105,800 men, women and children are on a
national transplant waiting list.
• 17 people die daily waiting for a donor.
• Every donor can save up to eight lives with their organs,
and enhance the lives of 75 others.
• 40,000 plus transplants were
performed in 2021.
• Visit www.organdonor.gov/signup or
www.donatelife.net to find out how
you can give the gift of life.
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