No Slowing Down. Denver to host the 2026 Transplant Games

by Mariana Ortega Rivera

The Colorado Convention Center will transform into a celebration of second chances this week, as more than 12,000 people gather for the 2026 Transplant Games of America, TGA.

From June 18-23, the TGA Village will host over 60 events, bringing together transplant recipients, living donors, and donor families from across the nation. The competitions, which range from track and swimming to wheelchair basketball, are designed to do more than showcase competitiveness. Recipients compete to honor the donors who saved their lives, while living donors demonstrate that there is no slowing down; their health remains robust after giving the gift of life.

"This is the biggest celebration of life," said Bill Ryan, president and CEO of the Transplant Life Foundation, in a press release.

TGA 5k runner celebrates. Photo courtesy of the Transplant Games of America

As the host, the Games introduced the Colorado Challenge, a new series of events open to non-TGA participants. Designed to align with Colorado's reputation as one of the healthiest states, the challenge encourages broader community participation through activities like pickleball, bowling, golf, ballroom dancing, and a 5K run/walk. The initiative aims to promote healthy living to reduce the need for transplants and increase the pool of potential donors.

This year's chair is Mark McIntosh, a former Denver sportscaster and kidney recipient himself. He plans to compete alongside Cathie Hitchcock, the woman who donated his kidney. 

"The generous heart of the woman who gave me this kidney is my greatest blessing," McIntosh said.

The TGA Village, including its public 5K Walk/Run and Youth Olympiad, is free and open to the public.

The Games serve as a critical awareness campaign. With more than 100,000 people currently waiting for a transplant in the U.S., organizers hope the visibility will encourage donor registration. Colorado, home to several premier transplant facilities, saw nearly 1,000 life-saving transplants in 2024.