Team South Carolina proudly represented the Palmetto State at the 2026 Transplant Games of America in Denver, Colorado, showcasing the strength and resilience of transplant recipients, living donors, donor families and caregivers. Over 40 team members ranging in age from 10 to 76 represented the state, working together to promote the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation on a national stage.
The Transplant Games of America is a multi-sport, biennial competition celebrating the legacies of donors, transplant recipients, and donor families. During the Olympic-style event, participants raised awareness about the life-saving importance of donation. Team South Carolina brought home a remarkable total of 52 medals during the competition, including 27 Gold, 15 Silver, and 10 Bronze medals.
Justin Spencer, a school resource officer and living kidney donor from Rock Hill, was the highest-performing athlete of Team South Carolina. "Attending the Transplant Games of America was one of the most rewarding and emotional experiences of my life. Winning these medals was incredible, but it wasn’t nearly as incredible as hearing the stories of survival and resilience from living donors, donor families, and recipients from across the country,” said Spencer. "Becoming a living kidney donor was an easy decision- one I would never change. Seeing firsthand the impact that donation and transplantation have on people’s lives has inspired me to become a stronger advocate for donation. I look forward to attending future games and doing everything I can to raise awareness of and support for the transplant community.”
Beyond the team’s athletic achievements, Team South Carolina was part of making history, participating in the setting of a new Guinness World Record for most solid organ transplant recipients and most living donors in one place with a total of 966. This record serves as a powerful testament to the life-saving impact of transplantation.
The team was supported throughout the games by South Carolina’s federally-designated Organ Procurement Organization, We Are Sharing Hope SC (SHSC), and Donate Life SC (DLSC). Chasity Benjamin and Calista Johnson from SHSC attended the games as Team Managers. “Watching Team South Carolina compete was a deeply moving experience," said Benjamin and Johnson. "Their perseverance and spirit are the heartbeat of our mission. Every athlete, caregiver, and family member who attended is a walking, breathing example of why we do this work. We are incredibly proud to have supported this team as they represented South Carolina on the national stage."
Registered donors can save up to eight lives through organ donation and heal up to 75 lives through tissue donation. Those interested in registering can do so at their local DMV or at https://www.donatelifesc.org/