Transplant Games of America 2022

My name is Caitlin Howard, and I am 29 years old. I was born with Biliary Atresia and am a two time liver

transplant recipient. Due to unconditional love and personal sacrifice, I was fortunate on two occasions to

have received the gift for a second chance at life. Both of my transplants were performed at UCLA

Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.

My first transplant was in 1993, at 8 months of age. I was the first living-related liver transplant recipient

in Southern California. My dad, Mitch Howard, donated the left lobe of his liver to me. My dad is doing

great and is fully recovered because the liver is one of two organs in the human body that can

regenerate (the other is the skin). In 2007, due to a complicated illness, at 14 years of age, I received my

second liver transplant. Someone I never knew lost their life and in doing so saved mine and blessed me

with my second chance at life. These acts of unconditional love often overwhelm me. I

am beyond blessed and aware of how precious life is!

Every two years

The Transplant Games of America brings together thousands of transplant recipients, donor families, living donors, individuals on the waiting list, transplant professionals, caregivers, supporters, and

spectators for the world’s largest celebration of life. The City of San Diego, often

called the birthplace of California, has been selected to host the 2022 Donate Life Transplant Games.

The games will take place from July 29 thru August 3, 2022.

As the Transplant Games of America states: “During this truly unique and inspiring week, 40 state

teams and several international teams (i.e., Brazil, Australia, and India), made up of transplant recipients

and living donors, compete in twenty athletic, recreational competitions. In addition to these

medaling events, over sixty special events are held throughout the Games, meant for all attendees

to enjoy. These events

serve as an opportunity for donor families, recipients, living donors, and professionals to engage with one another and share stories. It

celebrates donors who gave the

selfless gift of life. At the Transplant Games, recipients are given a chance to show the world that

having a transplant is a second chance at a full, productive, and inspiring life and display to their

donor families what their gift means to them.”

Please help me reach my goal of $3,000.00 to attend and participate in the Transplant Games of

America. The funds raised will go towards the cost of gas and travel, hotel room, food, conference and

competition fees for the week of July 29-August 3, 2022. With your support and donation

I will have the opportunity to meet and make lasting lifetime friends and help

increase awareness of the life-restoring importance of organ, cornea, bone marrow, and tissue donation.

Thank you for your support!