Mark McIntosh is a man of passion. His infectious laugh, vivacious attitude and intense love for the Denver sports community isn’t lost on those who meet this sportscaster turned community activist. Mark remains in the hearts of many Coloradans who watched him daily as CBS Denver’s No. 1 sportscaster for decades. He now parlays that passion into educating Colorado residents about lifesaving organ donation.

Most of us won’t ever have to make a lifesaving choice, yet anyone of us can. That is what organ donation is all about – making the choice. That’s exactly what happened with Cathie Hitchcock. She could never have known her choice would be a lifesaving one for one of her favorite sportscasters. She knew Mark from his coverage of the Colorado Buffaloes athletic teams during ‘90s. In her professional life, Cathie gave back by grooming pets, educating inmates and providing transportation to children as a bus driver for Aurora Public Schools. Cathie’s support of those around her spoke to her community commitment and led the way to one of the most important choices in her life.

This summer, the Transplant Games of America will be held in Denver from June 18–23. The 2026 Games will unite transplant recipients, living donors, donor families, caregivers, those awaiting transplants, healthcare professionals, supporters, volunteers and spectators for an unforgettable week of competition, connection and celebration in the largest celebration of life.

The six-day festival brings an estimated 12,000 visitors to Colorado for more than 20 competitions, including several public events that include a 5K and Youth Olympiad. For 33 years, the Games have brought together people moved by the miracle of organ donation and transplantation. Together, teams from across the U.S. will compete and honor the gift of giving or receiving a second chance at life.

Mark’s story would not have been possible without Cathie, the kidney donor he calls his “angel,” who now resides in Pueblo West. She had undergone testing to donate her kidney to her husband. The results were in, but she was not a match. That’s when her lifesaving choice became even more real. Mark’s name came to the top of the list and she knew that she could still help someone. So, she underwent surgery and donated her kidney to Mark. It saved his life.

Asked whether the surgery was worth saving Mark’s life, Cathie said, “It was totally worth it. I would do it again.” Her husband, Kirk Hitchcock, remains on the transplant waiting list today. Mark and Cathie continue to spend time together and advocate for organ donation on behalf of people like Kirk and others at risk of organ transplants.

Mark says, “the moment I first hugged Hitchcock, it settled in that she had given me a whole new chance at life. It was a miracle.” He still gets emotional at the thought. “Words are my profession,” he said, “and I still struggle to find the words to describe what that feeling was like.”

When Mark attended his treatment with hemodialysis, he stated that he was the only white person in the room of seven who came to be treated. “It opened my eyes to an even more pressing issue,” he said. “Do people of color experience a greater need for organ donations? And if so, why?”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health reports 72% of people waiting for a donor are Hispanic, Black or Indigenous. These communities are often underrepresented in donor registries, resulting in longer wait times. Due to higher rates of heart disease and diabetes, genetic factors and limited access to insurance and medical care, people of color can be at higher risk of needing an organ transplant. These disparities show that building awareness, increasing donor registration and making lifesaving transplants available to everyone is critical to saving lives.

Denver is stepping up to the challenge to change this. The Transplant Games aim to help close this gap by reducing distrust in the healthcare system, raising awareness about the urgent need for organ donation within communities of color by educating and registering potential organ donors to the national registry. Mark is taking this challenge personally by educating residents across the state through the Colorado Caravan, a program presented to statewide business, civic and community organizations.

The Games are in Colorado for more than donor awareness, advocacy and wellness. As host of the Transplant Games of America, Denver has a unique opportunity and responsibility to bring people together around health, compassion and community well-being. Increasing organ donation is important because it reduces preventable deaths, improves quality of life, lowers long-term health care costs and allows donors to create a legacy by saving others.

As Denver prepares to welcome the Transplant Games of America, the event stands as both a celebration and a call to action. For those whose lives have been saved, and for those still waiting, the Games serve as a reminder that one decision can mean a lifetime. The arrival of the Games in Denver represents more than a national event – it’s a movement. It calls for stronger donor advocacy, greater health equity and collective action to support those waiting for a second chance at life.

Editor’s note: For more information on participating, volunteering or taking part in public events, visit www.transplantgamesofamerica.org.