The 6th Annual TCA Donor Dash was back at Kiwanis Park in Tempe, AZ this past December with a record‑breaking turnout, new stories of hope, and a shared commitment to honoring donors, celebrating recipients, and supporting the transplant community. This event is organized by the Transplant Community Alliance (TCA), and features a 10K, 5K, and 1K Family Fun Run/Walk. What began six years ago as a small but passionate gathering has now grown into one of the most touching and unifying events of the year. A community that continues to expand in size, vitality, and impact.

 This year’s event welcomed hundreds of participants from across Arizona that included transplant recipients, living donors, donor families, medical professionals, and supporters who believe in the mission of organ, eye, and tissue donation. Participants once again enjoyed the scenic course winding around the tranquil 12‑acre lake, along with a lively vendor village and a silent auction filled with unique items generously contributed by local businesses and community partners. A beloved tradition returned this year: the opportunity to purchase honorary signs honoring both living and deceased donors. These individual tributes lined the course and created a meaningful, reflective atmosphere as participants set out from the starting line. We were also proud to display last year’s honorary signs, giving families and friends the chance to reconnect with those messages of love, remembrance, and true appreciation. Attendees were once again invited to create or pick up a Hero Button to celebrate the people who have shaped their transplant journey. One of the most touching sights of the day was seeing participants wearing Hero Buttons from years past, each one a symbol of gratitude and appreciation.

 This year’s event marked a major milestone for TCA, raising nearly $90,000 for the Living Assistance Fund. This growth reflects not only the steady generosity of our sponsors, donors and participants, but also the increasing recognition of TCA’s mission to support transplant recipients and their families through direct financial assistance and outreach. We would like to recognize and extend a special thank you to our sponsors, whose continued partnership year after year helps make this event possible:

  • Donate Life Arizona 
  • Banner University Medical Center – Phoenix & Tucson
  • Mayo Clinic
  • Dignity Health
  • Tortoise & Hare Sports

This year brought an incredible mix of over 20 teams. Many of the teams represented donor families, transplant recipients, medical centers, and community groups each adding their own spark to the event. We’re excited to spotlight a few standout teams whose energy and dedication helped push this year’s totals to new heights. Jenna’s Groupies came out on top again, rallying close to 40 team members and raising over $32,000, well above last year’s goal! Led by Jenna Rosenberg, LMSW at Mayo Clinic and longtime leader of the Liver Support Group, the team showed up with heart, purpose, and serious fundraising power. Their efforts helped build momentum and added a strong sense of camaraderie to the event. BUMCP, with approximately 18 team members, raised almost $1,300, contributing strong support and a special team spirit to the event. Peg’s Walking Wonders, led by Peg Ollinger, has been part of Donor Dash for years. This year, her team’s fundraising efforts exceeded their goal, placing them among our top three. Peg is a heart transplant recipient who started the team to honor her donor and give back to the transplant community. She has become a dedicated TCA volunteer, and we appreciate all she does! We were honored to have Team Sean with us again, celebrating Sean’s memory and the extra years he was given after a double lung transplant. We had some new teams participating this year. Pinnacle Transplant Technologies, a multi-service allograft tissue bank honoring the gift of donation through high-quality allograft implants. This team came out to share our mission and help broaden our reach. Team Embrace Your Pace brought together members that are connected by organ donation and transplantation. This team continues showing the many ways people come together to support each other and this community.

Individual fundraisers also championed for the cause, many rallying their networks and sharing personal journeys. Whether honoring a loved one, celebrating a second chance at life, or advocating for donation awareness, these top individuals contributed to this year’s financial success. William (Bill) Hontalas was recognized as the top individual fundraiser this year raising nearly $13,000! As a liver recipient, and team member of Jenna’s Groupies, he was celebrating 5 years post -transplant. “I’m walking to celebrate the gift of life”, with health and gratitude his fundraising efforts give back to the transplant community. Patrick Kennedy raised over $3,100 and Kristine Rothstein, a three-time liver transplant recipient, was back in the top three. It’s the funds from this event that help provide support to families like Kristine’s when they need it.

 Organ donation has a profound impact on countless lives. A single donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and improve the lives of up to 75 people through tissue donation. In 2024 alone, 48,149 transplants were performed in the United States, this is a 3.3% increase from 2023 thanks to the generosity of organ donors. Despite this, there are still over 108,000 people in need of a lifesaving organ transplant, with 13 people dying each day while waiting. These statistics underscore the critical need for more registered donors. (UNOS.ORG)

 The 2025 Donor Dash marked a tremendous leap forward. A memorable and meaningful event that continues to celebrate the gift of life and bring the transplant community together. Every dollar raised represents a story, the impact is real. As TCA’s largest fundraiser, it provides essential funding for our Living Assistance Fund which provides financial relief to transplant recipients, those on the waitlist and their families. TCA would like to thank all those who made this event possible. Whether you participated, volunteered, donated, or helped spread the word, every contribution moved us forward. We look forward to seeing everyone again for the 7th Annual Donor Dash on Saturday, December 5, 2026, as we continue this tradition of celebrating life and honoring heroes!