New Transplant Recipient To Compete At First Games

by James Marten

Mandy McIntyre, 52, from Hobart, received a life-saving heart transplant in 2025 after a sudden, unexplained heart condition saw her go from competitive runner to being placed on the transplant waiting list within weeks.

Prior to becoming ill, Mandy was an active athlete who regularly competed in running events. A year after her transplant, Mandy has returned to the sports she loves, already completing a sprint triathlon and a half marathon. She is now preparing to compete at the 2026 Australian Transplant Games in Launceston – her hometown, where her athletics journey first began. For Mandy, the Games are a chance to celebrate the gift of life, reconnect with competition, and meet others who understand the transplant journey. She hopes her story inspires more Australians to register as organ and tissue donors, saying that organ donation not only saved her life but gave her family and friends more time with her.

The 2026 Australian Transplant Games will be held in Launceston, Tasmania, from 26 September to 3 October, marking the first time the Games have been hosted in Tasmania in their nearly 40-year history. The event will bring together hundreds of transplant recipients, living donors, donor families and supporters from across Australia and overseas to celebrate the life-saving gift of organ and tissue donation while showcasing the health and wellbeing that transplantation can make possible through the power of sport.

This is your first Transplant Games, after receiving a heart transplant a year ago. What does this mean to you?

This is my first Transplant Games and it happens to be in Tasmania where I have lived almost my whole life. So there was no hesitation to participate as much as possible.

Which sport are you competing in?

I’m competing in Athletics, in lots of different events. I haven’t done sprints or field events since I was a child, so it should be a lot of fun! I’m also running in the 5km Fun Run. I also signed up for Swimming and Tennis, but haven’t done either since my transplant, so we’ll wait and see.

What are you looking forward to most?

I’m looking forward to meeting transplant recipients, carers and donor families. It’s now such a big part of who I am and meeting people who are living long and fruitful lives, gives me so much hope and joy for the future years.

What does it mean to you being a ‘home games’, being held in Launceston this year?

This is my first transplant games and it’s in Tasmania for the first time. It seems synergistic to have the transplant games just a year after my transplant and for the athletics to take place at St. Leonards, where I grew up running. Running has been such a big part of my life and I can’t wait to run back on the track where it all began.

What would you like Tasmanians to know about Organ and Tissue Donation?

Organ donation saved my life and has given my family and me many more years together, which would not have been possible without the generous donation from my donor and their family. Organ and Tissue donation is not just life changing, it saves lives. It’s difficult to comprehend that someone had to die (in most cases) for an organ donation to happen, but without it many more people would lose their lives. You can help give someone else a second chance at life by registering as an organ and tissue donor today. Visit www.donatelife.gov.au to register and learn more.

The Tasmanian community is encouraged to be part of this inspiring event by volunteering or taking part in the free DonateLife Fun Run/Walk on Sunday 27 September. To find out more about the Games, register for the Fun Run/Walk, or volunteer, visit www.australiantransplantgames.com.

Anyone in Australia aged 16 and over can register on the Australian Organ Donor Register. It only takes one minute. Head to www.donatelife.gov.au/register-donor-today for more information or to register.

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Hobart Happenings

by Steph Williams

Bits and Pieces- June 2026

Hobart Happenings

by Steph Williams

Bits and Pieces – May 2026

Bits and Pieces- May 2026

Stay up to date with everything happening at the Hobart Magazine.

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