By TRICIA NEAL, CJ Staff Writer
Commonwealth Journal
Somerset —
If you’re a follower of the Commonwealth Journal’s pub-lications, you might remember seeing photos of the strong little boy, seen above, in a much weaker state. Levi Goff was born — seemingly healthy — on July 1, 2007. Just 13 days later, however, he went limp and was rushed to the emergency room. It was soon discovered that Levi had a condition called malrotation — and that the infant would eventually need a multi-organ transplant. Levi got that transplant when he was just eight months old — and now he’s a happy three-year-old who shows nearly no signs of a turbulent past. This summer, he participated in the National Kidney Foundation’s 2010 U.S. Transplant Games in Madison, Wisc. Levi’s mother, Laurie Goff, reports that Team KY brought home a total of 24 medals. Levi, the youngest on Team KY, won a bronze medal for his participation in the boys age five and under softball throw, and a silver medal for the boys age five and under 25-meter dash. “It was such a unique experience,” Laurie said. “I can’t wait to go to the next one. No one was a stranger. Everyone is so eager to share their story, and just as eager to hear yours. ... This year, Larry Hagman (a.k.a. J.R. Ewing, a liver transplant recipient) was at the games speaking and helping give out medals. ... “We had to raise $1,500 to send Levi to the games,” Laurie continued. “I want to thank all who helped buy T-shirts from me to help raise or funds to get to the games.” Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital donated $1,000 to help send Levi and five-year-old heart transplant recipient Riley Speck to the games. “We are so blessed to have such an amazing miracle in our lives, and we are just as blessed to have such amazing friends and family who have been with us through everything,” Laurie said.