Back in the 1990’s, Texan Tina Rueles was a well-known face in American darts.  Today, she is one of the faces of a slightly different sporting event – the Donate Life Transplant Games of America!

Following a very successful career on the dartboard, Tina’s life changed thanks to what was originally thought to be a simple lung infection.  It turned out to be a lot worse than that, indeed life-threatening.  In 2013, Tina received a double lung transplant from a 14-year-old girl…

It didn’t take long for the former ophthalmic technician to get the darts flying again, as well as a number of other sporting activities, and in 2014, Tina was a participant in the Transplant Games off America, which was held in her home state, down there in Houston.  Of course, darts was one of Tina’s chosen sports – along with bowling, shot put, discus, long jump, and something called “soft ball throw”!  Oh, and a 5K race!  Tina returned home with one gold medal, and two silvers.

Since the life-saving operation, Tina Rueles has devoted much of her time to the promotion of the Donate Life Transplant Games of America, and associated causes, and in fact, it’s thanks to Tina that darts is one of the included sports!  However, this article isn’t all about this very special individual…

Tomorrow (Friday, June 10) sees the opening ceremonies of the 2016 Transplant Games of America, which is being staged in Cleveland, Ohio.  In addition to the events mentioned above, there are sports like swimming, basketball and golf.  Tina is particularly pleased about the latter, and is certainly taking her clubs…

So, if anyone in the area wants to pop along to the Cleveland Convention Center and take a look, give our Tina some support, or maybe even lend a hand, you will be made very welcome.  I would like to add a special request as the darts organizers would be grateful for some experienced chalkers!  Darts day is Wednesday, June 15, in Hall B, and runs from 9.00am to 4.00pm.  This will be followed by the closing ceremony at 6.00pm.

The full address of the venue is:

Cleveland Convention Center
300 Lakeside Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44113
216-918-1600

More information on the Donate Life Transplant Games of America can be found on their website.

UPDATE!!!

Darts is to become a permanent fixture in the World Transplant Games!  It will be making its debut at the next World Transplant Games, held in Malaga, Spain, in July 2017.

The World Transplant Games Federation currently comprises 69 member nations.  The first games were held in England in 1978, and now the Federation hosts both summer and winter games.

More information on the WTGF can be found on their website.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login