DENVER (KMGH) — The biennial Transplant Games wrapped up in Denver this week, bringing hundreds of organ donors and recipients together to compete in everything from cycling and swimming to darts and trivia at venues all over the city.

In fact, the games set a Guinness World Record for most living donors and recipients in one place at one time, with 966 gathering at the Colorado Convention Center.

Angela Laino, who used to live in Boulder, came back to Colorado to compete in the games. She donated a kidney to a stranger in January before running in the 5K event.

“I’m what they call a non-directed living kidney donor, which means that I don’t know who my recipient was,” she explained. “So I just said, ‘Whoever needs my kidney, I’m sure they’ll find the best match for it.’”

Laino said she was inspired by her job, working “on and off” as a dialysis social worker for 17 years.

“I really saw the challenges that my patients faced,” she said. “I saw what they had to go through to get on the [transplant] wait list… I know what transplant means for people. I’ve seen it firsthand. And to be able to see them come out here, compete, they’re doing basketball, they’re doing badminton, they’re swimming, they’re cycling, they’re running. They are living their full lives, and that’s really what transplant can do for people.”

Laino said the games unite the community and show off its resilience.

“When you go through the transplant process, sometimes you feel alone, you feel like you’re the only one going through this,” Laino said. “And then you come to an event like this and you literally see thousands of people. You see recipients, living donors, donor families coming together for the same cause. It’s really inspiring, because it really helps to get the word out, spread awareness about the organ shortage, and it shows people what recipients and donors can do after they have the surgery.”

Dr. Michael O’Shea — a nephrologist, a doctor who cares for kidney disease patients and the kidneys in general — agrees. But he said more needs to be down to support patients and spread the word about the need for organ donations.

The National Kidney Foundation estimates 37 million Americans have Chronic Kidney Disease, which occurs when kidneys cannot filter the blood properly, leading to serious health issues. Because symptoms can be minimal in early stages of the disease, many patients don’t realize they have it.

“I think education about kidney transplant, both on the patient side as well as on the potential donor side, could be markedly ramped up and improved,” Dr. O’Shea said. “It’s struggles with communication between transplant centers, patients, and community nephrologists. No one’s fault. It’s just a very complicated delivery system.”

In the case of kidneys, people can become diseased donors — who register to donate in the case of their sudden death — or living donors, who donate one kidney will relying on the other. Dr. O’Shea said both are critical to meet nationwide demand for life-saving transplants, though the living donations tend to have a longer lifespan — around roughly 20 years — for recipients.

“A number of folks get transplanted every year off this list,” O’Shea explained. “It is also true that a greater number of folks get added to the list every year.”

To register to become a deceased donor, Coloradans can visit their local Department of Motor Vehicles office or visit registerme.org.

O’Shea said those considering living donations face an “exceedingly small” medical risk for end-stage kidney disease, but should consult with their doctor about the decision.

Even as the games leave Denver, a reminder will stick around through the summer. Denver Parks and Recreation, the Downtown Denver Partnership and DaVita have partnered to set up a basketball court in Skyline Park near Arapahoe and 17th Streets, in order to keep the spirit of the games alive and honor the resilience of organ donors, recipients and their families.

Pat Surtain II and the Denver Broncos could already have to overcome not having outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper for an indeterminate length of time  amid his ongoing legal matters, and the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year is now facing another hurdle.

This one affects Surtain off the field, and personally.

It will be but a footnote on his 2026 season, but the standout defender’s recent experiences are reminders about how quickly things can change in the NFL.

Broncos’ Pat Surtain II Gets More Bad News

GettyPat Surtain II could have forced to make a difficult decision about one of his ventures off the field.

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In addition to his award-winning play on the field for the Broncos, Surtain has also taken on podcasting during his spare time. He co-hosts the “Closed on Sundays” podcast with fellow Alabama alum and current Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold.

The duo’s joint venture is in imminent danger.

“#Broncos star Pat Surtain II has a successful podcast with Arnold,” The Denver Post’s Troy Renck posted on X on June 24. “Now, Arnold is facing some serious charges.”

According to NFL.com’s Grant Gordon on June 24, “Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold has been arrested in connection with a February robbery and kidnapping in Tampa, Florida, the Hillsborough County State Attorney announced late Wednesday night.

“Arnold, 23, turned himself in at Orient Road Jail (Florida) on Wednesday and is facing eight total felony charges — four for robbery with a firearm or deadly weapon and four for kidnapping, the Hillsborough County Sherriff’s Office told NFL.com. Arnold is being held with no bond and is due in court Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET, per the Sherriff’s office.”

Arnold’s charges “carry a potential life sentence in prison,” per Gordon.

Gordon also noted that prosecutors will request he remain in custody until his trial. That is in addition to his current no-bond status.

The matter all stems from an alleged retaliation attempt after Arnold and several friends had their property stolen from an AirBNB they were staying in. Arnold is the alleged mastermind of the plot, which targeted individuals police say were not involved with the initial theft.

Broncos Navigating Distractions

GettyPat Surtain II and the Denver Broncos are navigating legal issues with a player on their roster.

Surtain and Arnold last put out an episode of the podcast in February. Moreover, the Lions corner’s status and their podcast must come after Surtain’s commitment to the Broncos, who are once again expected to be one of the top teams in the NFL.

They face an internal threat to that, with Cooper.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton said they are following the NFL’s lead on handling the matter, while Surtain expressed support for his teammate.

“He’s our brother at the end of the day, and we all rally behind Coop,” Surtain told reporters on June 16 when asked directly. “We just wish him the best with everything, but just keeping him in good spirits.”

Cooper’s situation, obviously, affects the Broncos–and, by default, Surtain–directly.

Still, the star corner could need a new podcast partner, lest he prefer to sunset the endeavor entirely, as well as hope Denver can replace a key piece in Cooper if necessary.

Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter