The 2022 Donate Life Transplant Games of America are coming to an end tomorrow and we have BIG news about two members of the DCIDS Family! Both Noah, son of Alyssa Hernandez, SDS Eye Bank Director of Marketing and Development and Kyla Aquino Irving, SDS External Affairs Director are bringing home medals!

Noah, a 5-year-old who received a liver transplant recipient in the first year of his life, attended and competed in his first Donate Life Transplant Games of America this year! He completed the 5k run/walk, enjoyed the Transplant Games Parade and received a gold medal in the Youth Olympiad! Noah and his family had a blast and look forward to attending future Transplant Games of America.

Two-time kidney transplant recipient Kyla celebrated her 21st kidney transplant anniversary with her living donor and mom Joi by attending and participating in the 2022 Transplant Games of America in San Diego. Kyla participated in the ballroom dance competition with her husband, Steven. They danced to Disney’s Encanto soundtrack winning several medals.

Dancing to “Waiting on a Miracle,” the couple finished in first place for the Waltz category, and Kyla won a bronze medal in the Newcomer Solo Performance category. Dancing to “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” they also finished in first place for the Cha Cha category. Kyla also took home a silver medal for the Newcomer Solo Performance category.

Congratulations to Kyla, Noah and all of the transplant games athletes! Thanks also to all the donor heroes who gave the gift of life and help to make this event possible. 💙💚