In August, living organ donors, recipients and donor families will converge on Salt Lake City to compete in the Donate Life Transplant Games of America, which is a multi-sport festival event for individuals who have undergone life-saving transplant surgeries.

Competition events are open to living donors, organ transplant recipients, bone marrow, corneal and tissue transplant recipients. More than an athletic event, the Donate Life Transplant Games highlight the critical importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation while celebrating the lives of organ donors and recipients.
More than an athletic event, the Transplant Games of America highlight the critical importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation while celebrating the lives of organ donors and recipients. There are over 21 sporting events, an opening and closing ceremony, TGA Village, and additional ancillary and VIP events that will be happening throughout the event.
In short, the Games are an opportunity for those who have been given a second chance at life to compete as athletes on a national stage. The Games kick off on August 2, with the opening ceremony on August 3 at Smith’s Ballpark in Salt Lake City.
Team Utah Idaho has been competing in the games for many years, bringing home the Team Trophy for the past three games. The pressure is on to win the Team Trophy again on home turf.
Dawn Black, 63, will be one of those athletes competing in the Transplant Games. It's something she couldn't have imagined 2 a half years ago when she was diagnosed with liver cancer.
"Without that transplant, I wouldn't be here today. I'm so grateful for the donor and their family," said Black.
Dr. Richard Gilroy is the medical director of hepatology and liver transplantation at Intermountain Medical Center.
"The thing about transplantation is to restore their lives to normal. The transplantation games is an illustration of how normal people can be," said Gilroy.
Dawn is now busy preparing for half a dozen competitions including pickle ball, volleyball and ballroom dancing.

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