Chelsey Haukos

Hometown
West Fargo, ND 

Connection to donation/transplantation
I waited for my lung transplant in the hospital at the Mayo Clinic Rochester campus 11 days shy of a year. I then flew to Mayo Clinic Jacksonville FL for my transplant in May 2020. 

Competitions/Events at the 2024 Transplant Games of America 
Volleyball, Bowling doubles and singles, and Pickle Ball doubles. I look forward to attending the opening ceremony and meeting new faces 

How many Transplant Games have you attended?
This is my first Transplant Games 

Why do you participate in the Transplant Games?
I’m attending to honor my donor and keep in mind how far God has granted me to come. It’s a reminder that I can do hard things and come out the other side even if it takes a while to get there. I want to show my daughter that consistency and showing up for yourself every day will help you achieve your goal no matter the size. Life is a gift and I’m so profoundly grateful to be here for it and to watch my daughter grow.

One thing you want others to know about donation
Donation is truly a second chance for people, and it means my daughter didn’t have to grow up without a mom. She was 6 when I got my transplant but 5 when I went into the hospital. I spent a year and 3 months hospitalized through it all and missed so many things. I didn’t see her for 5 months during that time because of Covid. I’m a single Mom and lost custody because I was in the hospital. It was hard, but it was all worth it to be here now and have her home again, to watch her dance and see her doing something she has a passion and love for, and to see her zest for life and kindness for others.