Posted June 25, 2026
The Transplant Games of America were held in Denver and began on June 18 and culminated on June 23. The Games were produced by the Transplant Life Foundation and included 20 competitions and more than 60 events that educated individuals about the importance of organ donation, transplantation and healthy lifestyles.
“Everything you do, donations, participation, or simply the act of learning, is your legacy at saving a life,” said Bill Ryan, president and CEO of Transplant Life Foundation. “Attending the Games is a good first step in making a difference.”
The U.S. has more than 100,000 people waiting for organs, with 1,300 alone in Colorado. Each day, 17 people die waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant.
The Games were estimated to bring 12,000 transplant recipients, living donors, donor families and supporters to Denver. The Transplant Games of America featured an array of athletic and non-athletic events.
Attendees participated in workshops, learned about new technology and resources, and cheered on donor and transplant athletes.
“This is an opportunity for the community to learn, hear stories and most importantly come together in support of the organ donation community,” said Mark McIntosh, former sportscaster and chair of the Denver Host Committee. “We’d love to see thousands of living donors and recipients all gathered together to shine a light on the importance of organ donation, transplantation and wellness.”
Athletes from 44 teams across U.S., Australia and Thailand will compete in events such as swimming, track and field, basketball, cycling, bowling, cornhole and pickleball. Lyrics for Life, Texas Hold’em, Trivia and other non-athletic competitive events will also be included during the Games.
Saturday was a full day with the CareDx 5K Run/Walk at 7:30 a.m. on the Auraria Campus, which was open to the public. TGA hosted its first Living Donor/Recipient Gathering after the 5K at the Colorado Convention Center, followed by the Youth Olympiad and Opening Ceremonies.
The Donor/Recipient Gathering, a first-time event for the Games, set a Guinness World Record with 966 living donors and organ recipients gathered in one place at the same time.
The Opening Ceremony featured Thomas Engels, administrator for Health Resources & Services Administration, Olympians Missy Franklin and Crissy Perham and Missy’s father, Dick Franklin. Perham, a friend of Missy, donated her kidney to Dick. They joined in the celebration of the Games and highlighted these lifesaving choices.
On Sunday, the Transplant Games offered additional competition in cycling and swimming at El Pomar Natatorium – DU Ritchie Center Colorado Convention Center; along with table tennis, poker and basketball at the Convention Center.
Denver welcomed attendees on Monday, to the Transplant Games of America. Key events included bowling and track & field along with the Quarter Century Dinner & Dance, which celebrated those whose lives have been touched by organ transplantation for 25 years or more. This dynamic and lively gathering welcomed transplant recipients, their families and supporters who came together to dance, reminisce and revel in the collective spirit of resilience that defines the transplant community.
The Games are being brought to the Denver community in partnership with DaVita and Denver’s four transplant centers: AdventHealth, Children’s Hospital Colorado, HCA HealthONE and UCHealth. Other local sponsors include Brownstein Hyatt Farber Shreck, Donor Alliance, Drive for Five, Fresenius, Madrigal, National Kidney Registry and OrganOx.
For more information, visit www.transplantgamesofamerica.org.
