By Radley West
Life after organ donation can be full, healthy, and strong. I am living proof.
In May 2012, I made one of the most important decisions of my life, I donated a kidney to a member at our gym. At the time, I didn’t fully realize how much that moment would shape the rest of my life. My only focus was helping someone in need.
Fast forward to 2021. Ryan’s mother, Ryan being the recipient of my kidney, tagged me in a Facebook post about something called the Living Donor Games. She said, “You should do this.” Curiosity got the best of me, and I signed up. That year, I participated in just one competition as an athlete.
The Living Donor Games were developed to raise awareness about living organ donation and to prove that donors can lead active, healthy lives long after surgery. They offer a stage to showcase strength, endurance, and resilience, while inspiring others to consider becoming a living donor.
In 2022, I didn’t participate. At the time, the events leaned heavily toward CrossFit-style workouts, and I wasn’t training that way. However, in 2023, I returned and committed to the four open competitions. My results earned me an invitation to Nationals in Greenwich, Connecticut, an event held every September. Unfortunately, a severe storm in the Northeast grounded my flight, and I never made it to the competition floor.
Determined to try again, I came back in 2024 and competed in three of the four open events. I earned another Nationals invitation, and this time made it there. After a day of grueling workouts, I found myself tied for third place. That meant a tiebreaker.
The final challenge was a short but brutal one: 21 calories on the Assault Bike. If you’ve never done it, picture a full sprint for your life with no let-up. I finished in one minute and fourteen seconds, securing third place. That moment remains one of my proudest.
This past year has been full of challenges, yet I managed to compete in all four open competitions. Once again, I have earned a spot at Nationals. My motivation has always been the same: to help others see that life after organ donation is not just possible, but thriving.
The Living Donor Games align with the mission of the National Kidney Registry: to inspire, educate, and encourage more people to consider becoming living organ donors. Every time I compete, I hope to reach someone who may be on the fence about donation or who wonders what life will be like afterward.
I am living proof that you can not only survive after giving an organ, but you can also thrive, grow stronger, and push yourself further than you ever imagined.
Radley West is married to Dr. Andrew West and together they own Anytime Fitness Lake Murray and 33/18 Chiropractic Associates. Radley is a gym owner and personal trainer with more than 20 years of experience helping people achieve non-traditional health goals. She and her team approach fitness by teaching clients to build better habits and create sustainable, feel-good fitness and nutrition routines—no need for intense six-pack aspirations (unless that’s your thing).
