It was a historic week in Denver as Team Liberty, a dedicated group of organ transplant recipients, living donors, and donor families from the tri-state area, triumphed at the 2026 Transplant Games of America. Representing New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, the team brought home an impressive haul of more than 90 medals.
The biennial event brought together thousands of participants from all 50 states to compete in a diverse range of athletic and skill-based competitions, including basketball, track and field, swimming, pickleball, cornhole, and trivia.
Beyond the competitive success of Team Liberty, the 2026 Games achieved a monumental milestone. Organizers officially set a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of living organ donors and transplant recipients, with 966 participants assembling in a single location to celebrate the gift of life.
Team Liberty is a signature program of the Sharing Network Foundation. While the athletes compete on a national stage every two years, the team’s mission extends well beyond the podium. Members work year-round to raise critical awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation. Those interested in learning more about the team’s journey and advocacy efforts can visit www.GoTeamLiberty.org.
The celebration in Denver serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing need for donors. According to data from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and the NJ Sharing Network, more than 100,000 Americans are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, a figure that includes nearly 4,000 New Jersey residents.
Advocates hope that the visibility of the Games will encourage more people to register as donors. Information on how to register and become a hero for those on the waiting list can be found at www.NJSharingNetwork.org.
