Success story

Brandon Rankin, who just turned 14, thinks of himself as a normal teen.

Those who don’t know him would think the same at first glance. He is going to be an eighth-grader this fall at Mountain View Middle School and he participates in normal activities – sports, band, paintball and hanging out with his friends.

However, Brandon traveled to Pittsburgh this summer to compete in the U.S. Transplant Games. Their mission, according to the Web site, is “to demonstrate the success of transplantation, honor those who have given the gift of life, and call attention to the need for more organ donors.”

So while Brandon may just see himself as a normal teen, others may see him as a transplant success story.

When Brandon was 3, he underwent a kidney transplant. His mom, Monica Rankin, was his kidney donor.

“My mom is my hero,” Brandon said. “She understands the transplant process better than anyone I know and I can talk to her about anything.”

Eleven years after the transplant, Brandon still takes medicine daily and has to make sure to stay hydrated, but he is able to compete in every sport but wrestling and football. When he found out about the Transplant Games, he knew he wanted to participate.

“I found out there were kids like me who had gone through a transplant but were still healthy enough to do sports,” Brandon said. “I was excited that I would have the chance to talk with people who knew what I was going through.”

“(The games) have a certain fraternity connection,” said Brandon’s dad, Brian Rankin. “They just understand each other.”

Along with meeting other healthy transplant recipients, Brandon also said it was inspirational to watch athletes who are not as healthy as he is.

“I felt more normal at the Transplant Games,” he said. “Everyone there understood what I have gone through. I met people in all different kinds of conditions.”

Not only did Brandon participate, but he also came home with medals in all the events he competed in; gold in the 50-meter dash and the high jump, silver in the long jump and a bronze in the 25-meter swim.

Brandon’s success qualifies him for the Transplant World Games in Australia next summer. He hopes to raise enough money so he can go.

Brandon trained for the games by running to keep up his stamina and also working out at Global Fitness.

“Training was sometimes easy, sometimes hard, but it was fun,” he said.

“He was already in shape,” said his mother. “I only had to help with the packing.”

“Team Northwest had it all organized and nailed down,” Brian Rankin said. “Pittsburg was also a great host and had shuttles all ready.”

“I hope everyone someday gets to see or participate in the games,” said Brian Rankin, who traveled with his son. “You get caught up in it. It’s a feel-good story.”

“This type of event is huge. It’s very important because he gets to see he is not different,” he said. “He gets to be among thousands of others who have had transplants.”

He hopes to see his son participate in the future and is considering getting involved himself.

He said his favorite part of the trip was “just watching Brandon participate and connect with other people. It gave him a sense of accomplishment, even though he does a lot here, too. The whole event is amazing with good competition. There are some world-class athletes there.”