Amber Lara/ Mesquite News

Diane Noster of Sunnyvale remembers the day when her 9-year-old daughter, Faith, received a liver transpalnt from an 8-year-old boy after 13 months and 17 days on the waiting list.

"There were a lot of mixed emotions," Noster said. "We knew someone would have to give their life in order to save Faiths. There are no words to describe the feelings."

However, 5 years later, Faith will be participating in the Tenth Annual Texas Rangers Organ Donor Awareness Game, July 30.

According to Noster, Faith is excited to meet other organ transplant recipients.

"She's excited to go play softball," she said. "She is always excited to join other young people that have had organ transplants."

Diane said she also enjoys meeting with other parents who share the same experiences.

"We all talk about how fortunate we are that our kids have received organs and are thankful for everyday we have our kids," she said.

The softball game hosted by Southwest Transplant Alliance has been played since 1995 in honor of baseball great Mickey Mantle, who received a liver transplant.

The game will include a team of organ recipients from ages 5 to 65 years old.

The opposing team will include local media personalities.

According to Pam Silvestri of Southwest Transplant Alliance, the purpose of the game is to raise awareness about organ donation and organ transplant recipients.

"The players on the recipient team have received everything from new hearts, livers, kidneys or lungs and they are so very grateful to be alive," Silvestri said. "Our main purpose is to promote organ donation and to have fun."

Noster said the game is something she is grateful Faith is participating in.

"We never heard anything about the game before," Diane Noster said. "Organ donation is so important and it's a real honor and exiting to participate in something for a good cause."

Silvestri also said the game's purpose is to also show that organ recipients are just as healthy as any non-recipients.

"We always expect many people to react with shock that people who've received organ transplants can be out in the summer heat, playing softball, running bases and even sliding to home," she said. "Transplant recipients are healthy and can live their lives and play sports too, even in Texas in the summer."

Silvestri believes awareness will encourage more people to become organ donors.

"We expect very positive feedback because one folks see the positive impact that organ donation can have, they want to become involved by agreeing to be organ donors themselves," she said.

Concluding the game, participants will have the opportunity to stay for the Texas Ranger's game against the Oakland Athletics.

Oakland As pitcher, Barry Zito's mother, with transplant ties, will toss the first pitch of the softball game and Silvestri said announcements will also be made encouraging Texas Ranger fans to become organ donors.

"The Texas Rangers are light years ahead of any other sports team anywhere in terms of supporting organ donation, and in terms of community service overall," Silvestri said.

According to Silvestri one of the biggest rewards are the friendships earned.

"Many of the team players have played for several years and have made good friends," she said. "Many of this year's, including Faith, are playing for the first time and will likely make a whole bunch of new friends."

Diane Noster said her experience as parent of an organ recipient has helped her appreciate life.

"I don't think you really realize until you've gone through something like this how precious life is," she said. "Each day has been a blessing to Faith and her family."