Simon Keith, a former professional British/Canadian soccer player who underwent his first heart transplant in 1986 and a second one in 2019, is coming to Lynn Family Stadium as part of the Change of Heart soccer event.
Keith played soccer until 1990, becoming the first athlete to play a professional sport after having a heart transplant.
The event is hosted by Donate Life KY, a nonprofit formed to establish a statewide educational and organ procurement network.
According to a statement by Donate Life KY, men are the least likely to register as donors a trend that the group hopes to change.
With Keiths background as a professional soccer player and the sports explosion in popularity in Louisville, the event comes at a perfect time, said Donate Life KY in a statement. In Kentucky, of the 1,000 people awaiting a life-saving organ transplant, 625 are men.
Keith is one of the longest-living organ transplant recipients in history, and will speak to his experience as a double heart transplant recipient.
To register as an organ donor, click here.
Donate Life KY Change of Heart Soccer Event
Thursday, Sept. 8
Lynn Family Stadium
Arrive by 5:45 p.m.
*Masks encouraged
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This article appears in August 31, 2022.