BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — As Birmingham hosts the 2024 Transplant Games of America, attendees are sharing their stories of how the worldwide event impacted their lives.
Since Holly Wierlan's lifesaving kidney transplant in 2006, she's encountered people from around the world as they compete while celebrating the gift of life.
Holly's parents and sister Rachel supported her during the annual events, traveling the globe with her side-by-side. During 2017's games in Spain, Rachel met the man who would soon become her husband.
Australian Steven Arthy received a lifesaving bone marrow transplant and hasn’t missed the yearly Transplant Games ever since.
When Steven and Rachel met, they weren’t sure where their relationship was going to lead but the connection formed by the games proved to be strong.
“I said I was never doing long distance again, and then we kept talking more and more, and I said 'I think he might be my one,'” Rachel said.
The couple was married not long after the 2017 games and have a daughter, who made the trip from Australia to Birmingham this week.
"She learns so much from everyone she meets," Steven said. "They have all had challenges in life, but they are really positive and appreciate the gift."
Holly met her future husband, who is a heart transplant recipient, the day after returning home from the 2017 games. They say one of the topics of conversation on their first few dates was the Transplant Games.
The families still can't believe the amount of change participating in the event has brought to their lives.
“It’s hard to comprehend sometimes, to think my life has been saved, now I’ve met and created a family," Steven said. "They’ve given me so much and I don’t want to forget how lucky I am."