There is no greater gift than the gift of life. Last year, almost 15,000 Americans donated life-saving organs or tissues. At the inaugural U.S. Transplant Games in 1990, a thousand people came to participate. Next week, ten thousand are expected for the 2008 games. Kansas and Missouri hves assembled a team of 25 athletes, two of which are from nearby Lawrence.

"They told me when I was 21 years old that I basically had five months to live," explains Mike Strauss, 43.

"I was seven and a half months old when I was transplanted," describes Ali Jacobsen, 16.

Jacobsen and Strauss are both liver transplant survivors. This year, they're competing in the U.S. Transplant Games for the third time.

"It's so much fun," beams Strauss. "It's the greatest event i've ever been a part of. Meeting people who have overcome a lot obstacles. When I go to these events, I'm like a little social butterfly. I find out everybody's story."

12 different events are offered, ranging from swimming to a 5k run. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded, but that's not why people participate.

"You're just there to play because you can and you got a second chance," says Jacobsen. "It's not really about winning. It's just about being there and having fun."

"It's not about the winning and losing, although it's being competitive," adds Strauss. "That's what I want to do, and a lot of people out there do. Just celebrating the fact that i'm around, like I said, around for my kids, around for my wife."

More than 98,000 Americans are currently waiting for an organ transplant. Every day, 18 people die while waiting. The Transplant Games are a chance for survivors to raise awareness for the importance of organ donation.

"I just learned to be thankful for what I have, and just go after what you want because not everyone gets a second chance," says Jacobsen. "So just live life to the fullest."

"It's just an awesome, awesome feeling to be alive," explains Strauss. "People that donate organs have a huge impact on a lot of people. Not just the recipient of the organ, but their families, and the people around them.