It wasn’t “Dancing with the Stars,” but it was a thrill for Monica Fox to ballroom dance her way to a medal at the 2018 Donate Life Transplant Games this month. Fox, a Flossmoor resident, and her dance partner, Vince Shavers, of Naperville, were offered dance lessons at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Naperville to prepare for the games. Both are kidney transplant recipients,
Shavers, show the medals they earned for winning
third place in the ballroom dancing contest at the
2018 Donate Life Transplant Games in Salt Lake City.
(Provided photo)
It wasn’t “Dancing with the Stars,” but it was a thrill for Monica Fox to ballroom dance her way to a medal at the 2018 Donate Life Transplant Games this month.
Fox, a Flossmoor resident, and her dance partner, Vince Shavers, of Naperville, were offered dance lessons at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Naperville to prepare for the games. Both are kidney transplant recipients,
Fox will be the first to admit “we were a little more novice than most” in the novice category, but they were smooth enough on the dance floor to win third place.
Fox and Shavers were two of 31 representatives on Team Illinois at the games in Salt Lake City, Utah. Participants can join in various sports events. The games are meant to encourage transplant recipients to stay healthy by keeping an active schedule.
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After receiving the kidney at UIC Medical Center, Fox took part in a post transplant fitness study and worked with a trainer for a year. Gift of Hope, a transplant organization, is “very supportive of that program” and recommended Fox for a Team Illinois slot.
“This is a reminder that you got that second chance at life and to really live it. Don’t be stuck in the house afraid to do things.”
Related story:
- For Monica Fox, Thanksgiving marks special anniversary (Oct. 31, 2017)