DAYTON’S Stacey Johns has headed back to the Transplant Games this week - carrying the memory of her donor with her every step of the way.

The 34-year-old received a kidney and pancreas transplant in 2023 after years of living with type 1 diabetes and undergoing dialysis four times a week.

Her transplant gave her a new lease on life, and she has since thrown herself into sport - winning three gold medals at the 2024 Australian Transplant Games before claiming two more medals at the 2025 World Transplant Games in Germany.

She said every medal she wins is a tribute to the person who gave her the ultimate second chance at life.

The kidney and pancreas transplant recipient travelled to Launceston for the 2026 Australian Transplant Games, held from September 26 to October 3, competing across an extraordinary nine sporting events - including basketball, volleyball, pickleball, shot put, discus, javelin, ball throw, high jump and long jump.

Ms Johns received her kidney and pancreas transplant in 2023 after years of living with type 1 diabetes, epilepsy and high blood pressure. Before her transplant, she was undergoing dialysis four times a week and struggling with exhaustion.

Her transplant marked a dramatic change in her health.

After spending a week in hospital and another four weeks in a hotel near the hospital, she returned home without the diabetes and high blood pressure that had been part of her daily life.

Since her transplant, Ms Johns has embraced her second chance at life and has quickly made her mark on the Transplant Games.

At the 2024 Australian Transplant Games in Canberra, she won three gold medals before competing at the 2025 World Transplant Games in Germany, where she added another gold and a bronze medal to her collection.

For Ms Johns, the games are about far more than competition.

They have given her a community of people who understand the transplant journey and celebrate life together.

“Meeting everyone and being able to feel like you have found your people is one of the best parts,” Ms Johns said.

Competitors take part in 17 sports, demonstrating what is possible after transplantation while promoting the importance of organ and tissue donation.

Behind every competition, every training session and every medal is the person she says she never stops thinking about - her donor.

“There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t think about my donor and donor family,” Ms Johns said.

Transplant Australia chief executive officer Chris Thomas said Ms Johns’ story demonstrates the profound impact of organ donation.

“Stacey is a wonderful example of how a transplant can transform not only someone’s health, but their entire outlook on life,” he said.

“Every donor has the potential to change multiple lives. One organ donor can save up to seven lives, giving people like Stacey the opportunity to live healthier, more active lives and make plans for their future.”

To register as an organ and tissue donor, visit donatelife.gov.au and tell your family about your decision.

For more information on the games visit the website.