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Drive for Five, Denver, CO (2026)

11/03/2025

One event of the Transplant Games of America is Texas Hold ‘em Poker. It’s a medal-competing opportunity during the six-day sports and wellness festival Denver’s hosting, June 18-23, 2026. It’s an example to the variety of 21 competitions available. They range from strenuous to sitting in a chair and outfoxing others in a game of wits and luck. Here's more on competitions: https://lnkd.in/gnuFh283.

I’ve always sucked at poker.

A blood cancer survivor, kidney transplant recipient, host committee chair and driver of the Colorado Caravan vividly recalls a childhood moment. Raytown South High School basketball players, scribe included, often would have low-stakes poker battles after our games.

One night after losing badly and lacking cash to pay debts? “Fellas, everyone follow me to the gas station. I’ll fill up everyone’s tank.” Seemed like a good idea at the time. Until my old man received the monthly credit card bill. I was disciplined fairly.

Those who know poker are well-versed the best hand possible is a “Royal Flush.” It consists of an Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten, all of the same suit. This hand is the rarest and most powerful. No other hand can beat it.

Which is exactly the sentiment shared from the growing list of passengers aboard the Colorado Caravan barnstorming America’s eighth-largest state in area. We’re taking the “Good, Better, Best” message statewide inspiring Coloradans to embrace presenting the Transplant Life Foundation's “World’s Largest Celebration of Life” as the springboard to restoring the Centennial State as America’s healthiest state.

It’s our birthday gift to Colorado and our nation on, respectively, birthdays #150 and #250. From a dude who’s lived in this state almost 40 years as a TV personality and community advocate? Our beloved state has changed and there’s room for improvement.

Let’s see what others can’t envision. Colorado’s first time hosting the event around since 1990, 12,000 visitors to Denver, the region and state. A feel good moment.

Educating others about organ, eye, tissue and bone marrow donation while inspiring everyone to better wellness? It saves lives short and long-term and makes Colorado healthier: physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually and financially. A Fab Five.

To put in poker terms? A royal flush. Rare, powerful and unbeatable. Let’s make "Hearts" the suit of choice. As friends at Rotary International like to say, “Uniting for Good.” There’s room available on the caravan, join us. SWOCE!™

10/13/2025

Debra Fine has been a friend for decades. We met years ago through the Colorado chapter of the National Speakers Association. The best-selling author and communications expert is a long-time Rotarian and delivered an entertaining and educational kickoff keynote this past Saturday to an enthusiastic crowd attending Rotary District 5450 annual conference.

The Buffalo, New York native’s incredible gifts and talents inspire others to really think about how we communicate with one another. The Denver host committee for next summer’s 2026 Transplant Games of America being held in the Mile High City? We love working with Rotary District 5450.

What a great day. 250 service-minded folks from 50 of the district’s 56 chapters gathered under the rallying cry of “United for Good.” The Colorado Caravan’s “Good, Better, Best” message blends well with these devoted Rotarians passionate about building stronger connections and fueling impact.

The Transplant Life Foundation produces the six-day sports and wellness festival. The Denver host committee values Rotary's invitation to speak throughout the district. We’re presenting the games, known as the “Largest Celebration of Life in the World,” as the springboard to offering Colorado a wonderful gift on its 150th birthday. Healthier citizens.

Fine had fine words. “Every conversation is an opportunity.” Yep. Every conversation at Rotary, and elsewhere, means more awareness in welcoming 12,000 visitors to the Centennial State to celebrate life, honor those making it happen, educate about organ, eye, tissue and bone marrow donation while inspiring Coloradans to get healthier - physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually and fiscally.

Opportunity is knocking. Rotary’s on the rebound. Who says this “Feel Good” moment can’t spark Colorado’s comeback? Rotary and the Denver host committee's Colorado Caravan? United for good, stronger connections, meaningful impact and a healthier future for the Centennial State. SWOCE!™

10/06/2025

The Colorado Caravan’s diligent in obeying speed limits but understands the urgency in roaming the state with encouragement considering the current realities locally, regionally and nationally. Colorado and America need to get healthier in all phases. Quickly.

Why not offer the Transplant Life Foundation's six-day sports and wellness festival next June to springboard the effort? Your scribe’s a blood cancer survivor, kidney transplant recipient and passionate chair of the Denver host committee.

Committee members are eager to reach every section of the nation’s eighth-largest state with a simple Caravan message: “The Denver Transplant Games will be wonderful gifts on, respectively, the state and nation’s 150th and 250th birthdays.

Healthier citizens!

Over the weekend TLF founder Bill Ryan allowed this 67-year-old with a new lease on life an opportunity to share with about 100 leaders of “Transplant Teams” from around the country. All were in Denver to meet, experience the city and get updated TLF information. Many on their first visit. The timing was ideal. They were present when the long-awaited and renovated 16th Street was unveiled! Hallelujah!

Team Rocky Mountain - I’m a member - is the host team. Darling wife has always joked, “Someday you should give guided tours of Denver.” It was fun sharing the history of a city and state this Missouri native has grown to love tremendously.

Before speaking this weathered journalist heard stories. The “Why and Where’s” of those gathered. Powerful tales of lives forever touched through the transplant world. Inspiring.

Unscripted and unexpected these words burst from my lips. “You know, the games are known as ‘The World’s Largest Celebration of Life.’ I realized something. The celebrations are YOUR incredible stories of second chances.”

We’re gathering again June 18-23, 2026. 12,000 visitors coming to town. We’re gonna celebrate life, honor those making it happen, educate about donations and inspire about wellness. Compete for gold, sliver and bronze. Celebrate. Honor. Educate. Inspire.

Full disclosure, your scribe came to Denver and Colorado almost 40 years ago. A retired TV guy, community advocate and life-long athlete loved moving to a state considered the “Nation’s Healthiest.” One man’s opinion, Colorado has slipped - physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually and fiscally.

We invite you to embrace the “Good, Better, Best” caravan message, get involved and see what others can’t envision. No speeding tickets on this statewide journey restoring Colorado as the nation’s healthiest state. SWOCE!™
https://lnkd.in/gsnbSJZR

10/02/2025

The Colorado Caravan didn't have to roll far this morning. What a blessing to speak to the Rotary Club of Denver Southeast about the Transplant Life Foundation's six-day sports and wellness festival coming to Denver next summer.

Love this picture. Women on the left? Our stories are so similar. Blood cancer destroys kidneys, currently on dialysis and waiting on transplant lists. Praying for relief through someone deciding, "Hey, I'll be just fine with one kidney. I'm gonna share my spare and save her life."

Women on right? Donated a kidney 12 years ago and expressed this morning, "It's the greatest thing I've ever done." Her name is Kathy. My donor's name is Cathie. Same name, spelled differently but with EXACTLY the same spirit.

The world needs more Kathy/Cathie's. Interested in exploring further? Names and spelling matter not: https://shorturl.at/koDt3. Good, better and best, never let it rest.

The Denver host committee will not rest in its quest to travel the state and present an event considered the "Largest Celebration of Life in the World" and its ability to be the springboard to a healthier Colorado - physically, emotionally and socially.

A darn nice birthday gift to the Centennial State on its 150th birthday. SWOCE!™

09/15/2025

This 67-year-old remembers vividly upon a 1988 arrival in Denver to work as a TV sports guy for KCNC, now CBS News Colorado.

The Centennial State was known as America’s “Healthiest State.” It was badge of honor and sensible considering the majestic mountains ideal for hiking, skiing and other recreation activities promoting an active lifestyle.

A life-long athlete, your Missouri-born scribe embraced all and a ton of running: short and long-distance including three marathons. As chair of the Denver host committee bringing the Transplant Games of America, the Transplant Life Foundation's (TLF) six-day sports and wellness festival, to the Mile High City next June? Training, as a Team Rocky Mountain member (TRM) has begun to compete for gold in the 5K road race.

By the way, that competition is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. It’s one of two events open to anyone. The other? The Colorado Challenge.

For the first time the Games offer a challenge to the Crossfit community to participate via “The Murph” Challenge. TLF and TRM are sending a strong message to the world. Recipients and donors live extraordinary lives after transplantation and we’re willing to take on the world’s fittest athletes to demonstrate it’s true.

Kudos to partners Chris Klug Foundation and Kidney Donor Athletes, Inc.
These two Colorado-based transplant organizations have been banging that wellness drum for decades. Thanks to the National Kidney Registry as well for sponsoring this event. CrossFit, LLC Nation? We want you!

The state of Colorado has all kinds of activities planned for 2026 to celebrate 150 years of statehood. The host committee is offering a priceless present to the Centennial State: restoring its place as America’s healthiest place to reside.

We’ve slipped a bit lately. The ’26 Denver Transplant Games will bring an uptick in organ donations. Since 1990 and held in even-numbered years there’s been 17 sports and wellness festivals. Always dedicated to transplant recipients, donors and donor families. Data from prior events show a “bump” in folks being educated about organ, eye, tissue and bone marrow donations and saying, “Sure, I’ll share my spare.”

More lives will be saved throughout the Rocky Mountain West because more organs, eyes, tissue and bone marrow will be available. Considering the growing wait lists, Hallelujah! Lives saved throughout Colorado and the region.

Wait, there’s more. The Colorado Caravan partnership with SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates (SODA) in creating more college/university chapters around the state means teenagers and young adults, especially of color, will be educated about donation and wellness. MSU Denver is the latest chapter. Way to go Roadrunners!

Happy birthday Colorado. Team Rocky Mountain is honored to offer a priceless present for the Centennial State’s milestone birthday: The gift of life and a vision to restore our state’s reputation as the nation’s healthiest. SWOCE!™

09/12/2025

The headlines scream with all the horrific things wrong in this world: assassinations, school shootings and other mayhem. It can suck the life out of us, literally and emotionally.

We must never forget there's plenty of good in the world as well. Here's a darn good example. Say hi to Barbee Lux. What an amazing women with a fascinating life. Let's see.

Long ago, toured with the Harlem Globetrotters with its aerobatics team. Then shifted to being a private investigator before her current role as a successful Denver real estate broker. Amazing human.

And there's more. At the young age of 73, Lux donated a kidney to a perfect stranger. Shared her spare and saved the life of another. God bless you Barbee.

Donating a kidney knows few age boundaries. It has everything to do with your health, not age. Be like Barbee and consider offering the gift of life to someone. It could be the cherry on top of a life well lived in service to others.

Interested in exploring? Here ya go: https://www.kidneyregistry.org/for-donors/am-i-qualified-to-donate-a-kidney/

09/08/2025

A fantastic trip to our nation's capitol culminates today when almost 200 passionate Global Liver Institute advocates descend on the hallowed halls and marble walls of Congress.

Better policies from our lawmakers would certainly help lessen the growing American crisis concerning the growing transplant lists and folks languishing, and tragically dying, on those lists. There's about 120,000 Americans on transplants lists. The VAST majority for kidneys and livers.

What a great weekend in DC attending GLI's A3 and promoting the Transplant Life Foundation's six-day sports and wellness festival coming to Denver.

Meet one participate from California, Aaron Jackson. Listen to this resume: First liver transplant in December 2019. Things didn't work as planned and turned around and had a liver/kidney transplant a month later.

Jackson temporarily lost his vision, ability to speak, walk and perform daily functions. Learned to walked again later in 2020.

One tough dude. Look at him now. He's a beast in the gym. I worked out with him one morning and he's become a huge advocate for better outcomes for those living with end-stage liver disease. He's also become a hero in the eyes of many, including your scribe. SWOCE!™

09/03/2025

Colorado celebrates its 150th birthday next summer. All kinds of festivities planned around the Centennial State. The host committee for the Transplant Life Foundation's six-day sports and wellness festival is honored Governor Jared Polis' America 250 - Colorado 150 Commemoration has endorsed the Denver games. We get to use its logo in marketing. Thanks!

Your scribe sure hopes 250-150 likes the host committee’s latest initiative, the Colorado Caravan. Why? On its big birthday, the host committee and Team Rocky Mountain are traversing the state offering a wonderful present. The gift of life!

The transplant centers are in Denver. The need for more transplants and better wellness touches every square inch of this beautiful state. These are the 18th Transplant Games of America. They’ve been around since 1990 and held in even-numbered years. Data shows there is a “bump” in folks donating organs, eyes, tissue and bone marrow in the city and region surrounding a host city.

12,000 folks are coming to Denver. Positive energy will flow as folks celebrate life, honor those making it happen and are educated concerning the ability to share their spare and save another’s life with a spirit oozing, “Let’s do this. I’m in!”

The games coming to Denver? We know loved ones ALL OVER THIS STATE AND REGION will benefit. Lives will be saved. Hallelujah. Transplant lists don’t recognize boundaries. Tragically, those lists tend to focus on poor people of color. I know that first-hand through six cherished friends from hemodialysis days.

Wait, there’s more. The Denver Transplant Game’s mission is to also help the Centennial State reclaim a once proud title. Colorado used to be the “Healthiest State in the Nation.” We’ve slipped. I’ve been here since 1988 upon arriving as a TV sports guy for KCNC. It was cool then, achievable now and critical needed.

65% of Americans are overweight. High blood pressure and diabetes out of control. That terrible trio is horrible for organs, especially kidneys. 100,000 folks sit on kidney transplant lists. Demand far exceeds supply. 550,000 today on dialysis. Expected to rise to one million in next decade. Lack of wellness storm clouds a clear and present danger.

The Colorado Caravan wants to give this beloved state a gift that keeps giving. Wellness. Long after the games go silent, improved wellness will remain the message of passionate purveyors in this space like Donor Alliance, Chris Klug Foundation, Metropolitan State University of Denver, SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates and "Drive for Five" to name a handful.

The Colorado Caravan is coming. We’d love to meet you and present the plan behind the priceless gift. Improved wellness within the Centennial State, especially among teenagers and young adults.

Next summer? Forget any fancy and expensive presents on the state’s birthday. Bringing the games here is offering something priceless. The health and well being of Colorado’s future. SWOCE!™

08/28/2025

The Denver Transplant Games and partner Team Rocky Mountain are taking the Colorado Caravan to Pueblo. Would love to see you there.

We’re gonna have a front row seat to watch the Colorado State University Pueblo Thunderwolves host Fort Hays State University Thursday evening, September 4th from the Thunder Bowl.

Yes. We’ll do the usual promotion about the Transplant Life Foundation's six-day sports and wellness campaign coming to Denver next summer. 12,000 folks visiting to celebrate life, honor those making it happen, educate about donations and inspire about wellness. Volunteers, participants, supporters and sponsors welcome.

Good stuff that’s good for the soul. There’s more. When thinking about CSU-Pueblo football it’s impossible to not think about John Wristen. The most successful head coach since the school re-instated football is a dear friend. We’ve known each other almost four decades.

How? In 1986 your scribe was a rookie TV sports guy living in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas as the weekend sports anchor at KGBT, then known as the “Valley’s New Leader.”

Wristen? The personable dude was an assistant coach at Weslaco High School. At the time a Valley powerhouse. High school football’s huge in Texas. The Wildcats were good. TV guy went to many games. You get to know the coaches. Wristen and McIntosh instantly connected.

Fast forward a few years later? McIntosh has moved to Denver to work at CBS News Colorado, then the “Home of the Colorado Buffaloes.” I was the “Buff Guy,” flew on the team plane and was embedded in the program. Who cares? Well, about 1990 who comes along as a graduate assistant? John Wristen. The Colorado native has a rare gem: CU’s only national title ring.

The journey continues as Wristen joins former Buff assistant coach Gary Barnett who takes over a downtrodden Northwestern University program. Barnett, Wristen and others turned things around dramatically and then in 1999 returned to CU and won the Buffs last conference championship in 2001.

In 2008 Wristen’s alma mater, now CSU-Pueblo, decides to bring back its football program. Wristen was a quarterback for the university long ago. Coaching has always been his passion. I’ve always joked with him, “Whenever McIntosh and Wristen are hanging out? The football’s usually pretty good.”

“Wristo” won a 2014 Division II national championship, retired from coaching and is now in development for CSU Pueblo. Mac’s retired from TV sports stuff but we’re coming back together for something even better than football titles: Saving lives through educating folks about organ, eye, tissue and bone marrow donations and inspiring ‘Pack football fans to become healthier - physically, emotionally and socially.

The game's outcome is still in doubt but this much we know: Raising awareness to the value of organ donations and wellness? It's a life-saving win for Pueblo and southern Colorado!

08/11/2025

Next summer when the Transplant Life Foundation's six-day sports festival descends upon the Centennial State your scribe will be a proud member of Team Rocky Mountain - Transplant Games of America.

We're one of more than 40 teams vying for gold, silver and bronze in a competitions from rigorous to moderate to darn easy, like Pub Trivia.

There’s a new team debuting in 2026. It’s gonna be formidable.

A patriotic welcome to the United States Armed Forces Transplant Team. It will proudly represent current and former service members, their families and supporters. It’s inclusive of all U.S. military branches and honors the strength, service, and sacrifice of its members through sport, advocacy, and shared experience.

A few highlights:

* Offer educational sessions, networking opportunities, and recognition ceremonies that reflect the unique experiences of military-affiliated transplant community members.
* Serve 600–1,000 veteran and active-duty participants from a projected 4,000 overall attendees.
* Prioritize outreach to VA hospitals, military bases, and veteran service organizations nationwide.
* Build lasting infrastructure for community connection, peer mentorship, and access to military-specific transplant resources through the Transplant Community HUB.

Important stuff. The timing is wonderful considering Colorado’s history of being front and center in educating future freedom defenders and being home to many facilities protecting our nation. Colorado Springs and the Pike’s Peak region ooze military might.

Fort Carson Army Base, Peterson Air Base, the Air Force Academy, Space Command and, burrowed deep inside Cheyenne Mountain, NORAD. America’s last defense against nuclear attack.

The Transplant Life Foundation has successfully hosted two HonorLife: Steps for Service Virtual Step Challenge fundraisers in support of its HonorLife: Military and Active Duty Initiative.

These events engaged participants across the country to walk in honor of veterans and active-duty military members impacted by organ donation and transplantation. Way to go!

Why it matters? Veterans and active-duty military personnel impacted by organ donation often face challenges unique to their service — including navigating both civilian and VA health systems, limited access to peer networks, and a lack of military-specific transplant education.

HonorLife seeks to bridge this gap through intentional, inclusive programming that celebrates their sacrifice and supports their transplant journey.

Team Rocky Mountain and the others? We should be on high alert. There’s an expansion team joining this spirited competition. What fun shall be had as 15,000 visitors join us to celebrate life, honor those making it happen, educate about organ, eye, tissue and bone marrow donation and inspire America to shape up - physically, spiritually and socially.

We’ve called in the troops. Celebrating life, inspiring wellness and saluting service. A wonderful cord of three strands not easily broken.

08/08/2025

A service provider swung by the house recently to help this less-than-handy man deal with a kitchen issue. The father to a growing child born with tremendous challenges was pouring out his heart about the myriad of issues surrounding the welfare of his son.

Lots of irons in the fire. Parents, school districts, governmental agencies and others assigned to assist. It can get complicated and messy. In a perfect world, everyone rowing in unison for the welfare of a child and family trying to address the formidable, and life-long, foe.

Over the years this 67-year-old has met many loving parents, felt their passion to help their child thrive against the odds and ooze gratefulness there’s resources available. However, there’s also ample frustration with a social services system that, like many governmental entities these days, would probably admit there’s room for improvement.

“I just want my boy to be happy.” My heart ached for a dad looking around an imaginary room and trying to pick the right door that holds promise for a struggling non-verbal child and providers surrounding him.

Apparently there’s a big meeting coming up soon with all the major players in this saga. I offered, “I pray everyone in that room is there because they have the best interests of your child at heart.”

For whatever reason the cranium of this old jock zips immediately to Cathie Hitchock. Your scribe has a new lease on life thanks to the Pueblo West resident sharing her spare at AdventHealth Colorado. Before retirement, the angel in my midst drove a school bus for special needs children in the Aurora Public Schools system. Children like this man's.

Subconsciously my left hand touched a spot just below the belly button. On the left side of the lower abdomen. It’s where Hitchcock’s spare sits and has been performing in excellent fashion since arriving June 12, 2024. My body’s natural response is to reject the California native’s gift. I will forever consume anti-rejection drugs to make sure this aging body and this life-saving organ relate well to one another.

And then this final realization. The buddy before me racking his brain for solutions for his child has an angel in his midst too. Folks like Cathie Hitchcock. Who love and care for the most vulnerable of our community. What a blessing. My donor’s presence is life-saving for my physical body and really damn good for my emotional spirit.

It’s a constant reminder to never grow weary of good works for others. Within this fortunate fella? The precious portion of Cathie Hitchcock would expect nothing less.

The handyman left quickly after resolving our issue. I pray his family and son have similar angels in their midsts on their journey dealing with life’s unexpected twists and turns. We all need them. SWOCE!™

Drive for Five

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