World Transplant Winter Games

In Memory of Maurice Slapak — A Pioneer of Transplant Sport 🕊️

The World Transplant Games Federation is deeply saddened by the passing of Maurice Slapak, whose extraordinary vision helped create the transplant sport movement we know today.

From organising the first Transplant Games in Portsmouth in 1978 to serving as the inaugural President of the WTGF, Maurice inspired a global community united through sport, organ donation and the celebration of life.

His legacy lives on in every athlete, every Games and every life celebrated through transplant sport.

We extend our deepest condolences to Maurice’s family, friends and everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him.

Thank you, Maurice, for having the vision to start it all. You will be remembered with enormous gratitude and respect.

Celebrating Our Scars | USA 🇺🇸

Some scars tell the story of what we've survived. Others tell the story of what we've chosen to give.

For Gina Shaffron, her scars are the visible reminders of two extraordinary acts of generosity.

In 2012, Gina felt a deep conviction to become an organ donor. At the time, she didn't even know it was possible to donate to someone she wasn't related to, or how the process worked. She began the journey, and in 2013 donated her left kidney through a paired kidney exchange, giving a stranger a second chance at life.

While recovering in hospital, a nurse shared something unexpected with her—that she felt called to tell Gina she would one day donate again, and encouraged her to complete an application for living liver donation.

A decade later, that moment came full circle.

Ten years after her kidney donation, Gina donated part of her liver to a stranger in Los Angeles, becoming a double living donor—a truly remarkable gift of life.

For Gina, her journey is deeply rooted in her personal faith. As she shares:

"I am a DOUBLE LIVING DONOR because God is good. I have scars because He is faithful."
Whatever inspires someone to give, living organ donors embody extraordinary courage, compassion and selflessness. Gina's story is a powerful reminder that one person's decision can transform—and even save—multiple lives.

💚 Thank you, Gina, for showing the world what the gift of life truly means.

LESS THAN 9 DAYS LEFT TO PRE-ORDER! 🔥

Time is running out to secure your Official TFWC 2026 Limited Edition Jersey.

Wear a jersey that represents more than football—it represents the Gift of Life, the global transplant community, and the incredible stories that unite us all. ❤️⚽

🎉 Pre-orders are exclusively available for TFWC 2026 attendees and are intended for collection at the official TFWC Merchandise Stand during the event.

🛒 Pre-Order & Pay Online:
https://bit.ly/3TDXeFb
⏳ Pre-orders close: 16 August 2026

📍 Collection:
Simply bring your order confirmation or invoice to the official TFWC Merchandise Stand to collect your jersey.

⚠️ Please Note:
• Pre-orders are for TFWC 2026 attendees only.
• A limited number of jerseys will be available for purchase during the event while stocks last.
• Event pricing may differ from the online pre-order price.

Don't miss your chance to own this exclusive piece of TFWC 2026 history.

🌟 Wishing all the athletes, supporters, volunteers, organisers, medical teams, officials, and everyone involved an incredible British Transplant Games Sheffield 2026!

Best of luck to every participant as you take to the field, track, pool, and courts over the coming days. Your determination, resilience, and stories are a powerful reminder of the life-changing impact of organ donation.

May this event be filled with unforgettable moments, lifelong friendships, personal achievements, and celebrations of the incredible transplant community.

From all of us at the World Transplant Games Federation, we wish you every success and hope you have an amazing Games! 💚🏅

🔥 PRE-ORDER NOW – TFWC 2026 LIMITED EDITION JERSEY
Wear more than a jersey—wear a message that matters. ❤️⚽

Attending the Transplant Football World Cup 2026? Don't miss your chance to own the official limited edition TFWC 2026 jersey—created to celebrate the global transplant community and the incredible gift of life.

🎉 Pre-orders are exclusively available for TFWC 2026 attendees and are intended for collection at the official TFWC Merchandise Stand during the event.

🛒 Pre-Order & Pay Online:
https://bit.ly/3TDXeFb

⏳ Pre-orders close: 16 August 2026

📍 Collection:
Simply bring your order confirmation or invoice to the official TFWC Merchandise Stand to collect your jersey.

⚠️ Please Note:
• Pre-orders are for TFWC 2026 attendees only.
• A limited number of jerseys will be available for purchase during the event while stocks last.
• Event pricing may differ from the online pre-order price.

📏 Size Guide
• Small (S) – Chest: 46 cm | Length: 72 cm
• Medium (M) – Chest: 51 cm | Length: 74 cm
• Large (L) – Chest: 56 cm | Length: 77 cm
• Extra Large (XL) – Chest: 61 cm | Length: 79 cm
• 2XL – Chest: 67 cm | Length: 82 cm
• 3XL – Chest: 72 cm | Length: 84 cm
• 4XL – Chest: 77 cm | Length: 87 cm

Measurements are taken with the jersey laid flat. Please allow a manufacturing tolerance of ±1–2 cm.

❤️ Limited Edition. Limited Stock. One Powerful Message.

Secure yours before 16 August and wear your support for the Gift of Life with pride. 🌍⚽

🚨 Fake Facebook Group Alert 🚨

Another Facebook group has been identified that is impersonating the World Transplant Games and is not affiliated with the World Transplant Games Federation (WTGF).

To help protect our global transplant community, we encourage everyone to:

⚠️ Report this group to Facebook
⚠️ Do not rely on information shared through unofficial pages
⚠️ Follow only official WTGF communication channels for verified announcements and event updates

Facebook has previously removed fake groups after reports submitted through the Trademark Infringement process, so your report can make a real difference.

Together, we can help prevent misinformation and ensure athletes, supporters, volunteers, and the wider transplant community receive accurate information from trusted sources.

💙 Thank you for helping keep our community safe.

Celebrating Our Scars | India 🇮🇳

Some scars tell a story of survival.

For Vigyan Prakash Arora, a pancreas and kidney transplant recipient from India, the scar across his abdomen is far more than the mark of surgery—it is the signature of a second chance at life.

Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just 11 years old, Vigyan spent nearly four decades managing the condition before facing kidney failure. A simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant gave him the opportunity to live free from insulin injections and embrace a new future.

His scar is a daily reminder of the extraordinary generosity of an organ donor, the compassion of a family who chose to give life in the midst of loss, and the dedication of the healthcare professionals who made that gift possible.

Today, he wears it with pride—not as a reminder of suffering, but as a symbol of resilience, gratitude and hope.

"It is not a scar of suffering. It is a scar of survival." 💚

🚨 Fake Facebook Group Alert 🚨

We've identified another unauthorised Facebook group using World Transplant Games branding.

This group is NOT affiliated with the World Transplant Games Federation (WTGF) and may share misleading or unofficial information.

We ask our community to please:
🔹 Report the group to Facebook
🔹 Avoid sharing personal information or engaging with unofficial pages
🔹 Follow only our official WTGF communication channels for verified event updates and announcements

Every report helps protect athletes, supporters, volunteers, and the wider transplant community from misinformation.

Thank you for helping us keep our community informed and safe. 💙

🌍 Why the World Transplant Games?

"The World Transplant Games showed me that transplant athletes are not just survivors—we are champions. The spirit here is unlike anything in sport." 🇯🇵🚴‍♀️

For Yuki Tanaka, a liver transplant didn't mark the end of the journey—it was the beginning of a new one. Through cycling and the World Transplant Games, Yuki discovered a global community united by resilience, gratitude, and the belief that life after transplantation can be extraordinary.

Every athlete has a story. Every medal represents hope. Every finish line honours the incredible gift of organ donation.

❤️ Thank you to every donor, donor family, healthcare professional, and supporter who makes stories like Yuki's possible.

📝 Need help completing your TFWC 2026 registration?

Getting started is easy! Simply work through each section of the WTGF Gateway registration wizard in order, ensuring every required step is marked as complete before submitting your registration.

If a section isn't complete, the Gateway will guide you on what still needs your attention.

🌐 Visit https://bit.ly/4bVUN74 to continue your registration today.