Anna Modlin
Lung Recipient, Sunnyvale
Events: Bocce Ball, Golf, Swimming
I was blessed with a life-saving double lung transplant in November 2010 when I was 29 years old. I was born with a genetic condition called Cystic Fibrosis (CF), which destroys the lungs due to chronic lung infections. Despite the chronic illness, I began swimming when I was about three years old and started swimming competitively at five. However, as my lung disease progressed, being competitive wasn’t possible anymore and eventually I couldn’t even get into the swimming pool. While waiting for the transplant, I dreamed of the day I could get back in the water and swim again.
After my transplant, the Transplant Games of America was the perfect opportunity to take my lungs out for a test drive. I attended my first games 18 months after my transplant and surprised myself with winning five gold medals. This encouraged me to attend the World Transplant Games in 2013 in Durban, South Africa. My dedication to my training program paid off in a way I could have only dreamed. I medaled in all the events I competed in, taking home gold, silver, and bronze. Visiting South Africa for the games began a love affair with the country which I have since visited a second time, with another visit planned. My love of competition, showing the world how organ donation works, as well as amazing friendship and camaraderie is what has fostered my dedication to the Transplant Games.
It was because of my double lung transplant that I have had so many opportunities in the past five years. I have traveled the world, all over the country, tried new things, made new friends, returned to work and became an athlete. I’ve taken up dancing, golf, running, Pilates, weight lifting, Orange Theory Fitness, and kickboxing in addition to swimming. I am paying it forward by teaching others to swim, co-managing Team NorCal for the 2016 Donate Life Transplant Games of America, and volunteering with the Cystic Fibrosis community and Donor Network West advocating for organ donation awareness. My life is filled to the brim, and every day I am grateful for the selfless gift of my donor who I have yet to know.
