A Powerful Reminder of What It Means to Give Life
On Thursday March 19, we heard from Mark McIntosh — a blood cancer survivor, kidney transplant recipient, and now Chair of the Denver Host Committee for the 2026 Transplant Games of America.
Mark didn’t just give a presentation — he told his story.
He talked about the long hours in dialysis, sitting side by side with the same group of people — Amber, Jackie, John, Elizabeth, Joyce, and Maria — strangers who became like family as they fought for their lives together. He also shared what it was like to meet his donor, Kathy Hitchcock. That moment alone made it clear what organ donation really means — one person giving another a second chance.
And then he brought it back to purpose.
Mark is helping lead the Transplant Games of America, coming to Denver June 18–23, 2026. This isn’t just a sporting event — it’s a celebration of life. Thousands of transplant recipients, donors, and donor families will be here for a week that reminds all of us what’s possible.
He also introduced a few people who made that choice to give — including Scott, who donated a kidney, and Miley, who donated part of her liver. Their stories were real. Recovery isn’t easy. But the outcome? Someone gets to keep living.
That was really the message of the the evening:
We need more people to understand organ donation.
We need more people willing to step forward.
And every one of us can play a role.
The Transplant Games are a big moment for Colorado — but more than that, they’re a reminder of what happens when people choose to help someone else.
It was one of those meetings you walk out of thinking about long after it ends.
Broomfield, CO 80021
United States