'This experience will always stay with me': Inside the 2024 Transplant Games with AKF Ambassadors

In July 2024, thousands of athletes gathered to compete in various sporting events, hoping to bring home a medal.

No, we aren't talking about the 2024 Olympic Games that opened in Paris at the end of the month. Instead, these athletes all had one very special trait in common: their lives had all been touched by organ transplants. 

From July 5 to July 11, thousands journeyed to Birmingham, Alabama for the 2024 Transplant Games. Hosted in a different city every two years, the Transplant Games is a six-day event that brings together people who have received eye, tissue or organ transplants as well as living donors, donor families, caregivers and health care professionals to compete in over 20 activities ranging from a 5K run (or walk) to basketball to ballroom dancing to Texas Hold 'Em poker. 

Three of the people in attendance were American Kidney Fund (AKF) Ambassadors Chris Bryant, Pesh Patel and Iris Resto. 

"I found out about the Transplant Games on Facebook," said Iris, who was attending the event for the second time. Iris just celebrated 17 years with her kidney transplant, which she needed after polycystic kidney disease (PKD) caused her kidneys to fail. "I was scared to attend because I thought you had to be really good at these sports. I am not athletic at all. But a few of my friends had gone and they suggested that I should go [and] that I would really enjoy them. I finally decided I should go. I really enjoyed myself. It was a great feeling spending time with so many people that have had transplants."

Iris participated in the 5K as well as the cornhole, darts and bowling events. She earned the bronze medal in bowling and placed fourth in cornhole.

Chris was attending the Transplant Games for the first time, although he plans to attend more "as it was a wonderful experience." Like Iris, he competed in the cornhole event and brought home a bronze medal (in the trivia event) for the Liberty Team — whose members are from Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. "My team cheered and was very welcoming," Chris said, who is living with his second pancreas/kidney transplant. "The stories I heard, blew me away. This experience will always stay with me."

This was also Pesh's first time at the Transplant Games, although he chose to be a spectator rather than a competitor. "As this was my first time attending, I wanted to 'take it all in' and network with others in attendance," Pesh explained.

"I attended the Quarter Century Club dinner at the Barber Museum which was an outstanding event," said Pesh. The Quarter Century Club Dinner honors people whose lives have been touched by transplant for 25 or more years. It is one of many special events at the Transplant Games beyond the competitions. Pesh's favorite part of the Transplant Games, though, was "realizing that everyone there was family." 

"From the members of Team Louisiana to the conversations I had at the Westin bar at the end of each day, we all have a shared experience and support each other through our individual journeys," said Pesh, who is back on the kidney transplant waitlist as he experienced kidney rejection in February 2021. 

Chris agreed, sharing that the best part for him was "hearing the journeys of the participants. From the donors, donor families, recipients and those still waiting, it gave me a feeling of community." 

"I have met so many people that have donated a kidney this year," said Iris. "They have done such a selfless thing that it amazes me."

All three AKF Ambassadors expressed how this experience highlighted how important and lifechanging organ donation is.

"Many people are unaware of how many lives can be saved or significantly improved through organ donation," said Chris. "Unfortunately, the demand for organs far exceeds the supply, leading to long waiting lists and, sadly, many patients not receiving the transplants they need in time. I would strongly encourage people to sign up as an organ donor. In my opinion, it is the greatest gift a person can give… A donor can save up to eight lives. It's just an incredible gift. [And] becoming a living donor is becoming an instant hero."

"People who are not familiar with organ transplantation should understand that needing one does not mean that life is over," said Pesh. "A transplant gives life and allows you to continue pursuing dreams and creating memories with loved ones. Being a living donor or registering to be an organ donor allows you to be a hero and give the greatest gift of all: the gift of life."

"These Transplant Games are a reminder that you are not alone in this journey," said Chris. "Lean on your friends, family, and healthcare team — they are all here to support you."

We look forward to seeing Chris, Pesh and Iris — and the thousands of others who have experienced the lifechanging impact of organ transplants — at the 2026 Transplant Games.