Mega Doctor News
In the United States, more than 100,000 people are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, according to Donate Life America, with a new name added to the national transplant waiting list every 8 to 10 minutes.
Receiving a healthy organ can be profoundly lifechanging, often reversing otherwise fatal conditions, eliminating the need for treatments such as dialysis, and restoring energy, strength and overall quality of life.
See the gallery below for more images from the flag signing. All images courtesy of STHS:
“Transplant recipients don’t just survive, they get to truly live again,” says Lance Ames, Chief Executive Officer, South Texas Health System (STHS) Edinburg & STHS Children’s. “They grow up, go to school and celebrate milestones many once feared they’d never reach. They run marathons, fueled by a renewed sense of purpose. They walk their daughters down the aisle with gratitude in their hearts, and they hold their first grandchildren with a joy that words can barely capture. They’re simple moments transformed into extraordinary gifts.”
Held every two years, the Transplant Games of America (TGA) unites thousands of transplant recipients, living donors, donor families, caregivers, and supporters from across the country to honor the legacy of donors, raise awareness about the importance of organ donation, and promote healthy living after transplant. Through friendly competition, inspiring ceremonies and meaningful community building events, the Games serve as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of donation and the remarkable strength of the transplant community.
The Texas Life Warriors proudly represent the Lone Star State at the TGA, embodying the resilience, determination and success of Texas’ vibrant transplant community.
To help build excitement for this year’s event, taking place in Denver, Colorado from June 18 to 23, 2026, the official TGA flag has arrived in the Rio Grande Valley. South Texas Health System (STHS), in partnership with the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance (TOSA), hosted flag signing events at STHS McAllen, STHS Heart and STHS Edinburg on Friday, February 27, 2026, to bring staff, supporters and community members together in celebration of donation and the lives it saves.
“The arrival of the TGA flag is a powerful reminder of the lives transformed through donation,” says Tom Castañeda, System Director of Marketing & Public Relations, STHS. “Our staff’s enthusiasm to sign the flag reflects STHS’s longstanding commitment to supporting donor families, transplant recipients and everyone touched by donation. Together, we’re working to expand awareness and encourage more people to become registered donors.”
During Donate Life Month this April, STHS will host dedicated events to honor organ donors and encourage the community to register as organ, eye and tissue donors. A candlelight vigil will take place at STHS McAllen on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., and STHS Heart and STHS Edinburg will hold Donate Life flagraising ceremonies to celebrate donor heroes and highlight the impact of donation. For event details, please visit STHS Facebook events page.
To learn more about becoming an organ donor or to register, visit donatelifetexas.org.
