Launceston hosts Transplant Games as 600 athletes celebrate life
Launceston hosts the 2026 Transplant Games as more than 600 transplant recipients and donor families compete across 17 sports.
The 2026 Transplant Games are taking place in Launceston for the first time this week. More than 600 athletes and nearly 1,000 visitors are gathering together.
Competitors include transplant recipients and members of donor families. Many carry both joy and grief.
The games span 17 sports at more than 12 local venues. They include basketball and netball, plus Scrabble and the inaugural pickleball tournament.
The Barrett family will compete. Their son Henry died of pneumonia at age four in 2015, and they donated his organs.
Bella Dyer received a liver transplant at age five. Without it, she was only expected to live another three months.
She will also participate. Federal Assistant Health Minister Rebecca White said the event highlights the power of donation.
It encourages Australians to register as donors. The games run until October 3.
- More than 600 athletes
- Participants
- July 2015, age four
- Henry's death
Why it mattersCelebrates organ donation and the life-changing impact of transplants. Encourages more Australians to register as donors.
AustraliaFirst Transplant Games hosted in Australia is held in Tasmania this year; creates platform for donor families and recipients across the country to connect.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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