The third annual Donor Games Midwest Regional took place on October 3, 2026, bringing together athletes, families, community members, and living donors and recipients for a day centered on fitness, education, and the life-changing impact of organ donation.
The 2026 Midwest Regional welcomed 57 athletes, more than 50 spectators, vendors, and more than 30 judges and volunteers. The event also received enthusiastic support from the St. Xavier High School Baseball Team, the 2026 state champions, who volunteered throughout the competition and helped create an energetic atmosphere.
The Donor Games Midwest Regional provides athletes of all levels with an opportunity to compete while helping bring greater awareness to organ donation and transplantation. Beyond the competition floor, the event creates space for education and personal connection, helping participants and spectators better understand the importance of donation and the impact it can have on recipients, donors, and their families.
Hosted by Mimi Mahon, a living donor, Donor Games athlete, Director of the Donor Games, and Executive Director of the Living Donor Support Foundation, the event was held at her family’s gym, Mahon Strength & Fitness (MSF).
“Bringing together the Donor Games community, Donor Games athletes, and leaders of the National Kidney Registry (NKR) and National Liver Registry (NLR), our MSF gym community, and family—including my siblings, who helped run the event, and my mom, who shared her story—made this event incredibly meaningful,” said Mahon.
“Seeing so many people come together through fitness, sport, community, and a shared commitment to bringing awareness for living kidney donation was incredibly energizing and rewarding. Fitness and sport have such a beautiful way of bringing people together, and the Donor Games has been an extraordinary vehicle for creating those connections and sharing more about the impact of living kidney donation and the lives that can be changed through it.”
The event featured three workouts, with cash prizes awarded to the top three men and women overall.
In the men’s category, the winners were:
- 1st prize: Steven Fisher
- 2nd prize: Paul Burkett
- 3rd prize: Patrick Robbins
In the women’s category, the winners were:
- 1st prize: Evelyn Huff
- 2nd prize: Cat Chase
- 3rd prize: Sarah Wright
Education remained an important part of this year’s regional. Abbey Beckman, Donor Games athlete and Director of Coaching, joined NKR donor search coaches Teri Bennett and Debbie Parrish to share their knowledge and experiences with attendees.
The event also welcomed McKenzie Winland, the 2026 Donor Games Champion and Director of the NLR, who spoke with participants and shared valuable education surrounding organ donation and transplantation.
Their stories and expertise reinforced the mission behind the Donor Games: creating a community where fitness and competition can help start conversations, educate others, and ultimately inspire more people to consider the lifesaving impact of organ