This week, Gift of Life Howie’s House volunteer Howard Pritchard will be heading to the Transplant Games of America in Cleveland, OH. As a proud member of Gift of Life Donor Program’s Team Philadelphia, he will be competing in the 5K walk and run, cycling, and the cornhole bean bag throw event. Pritchard is a Transplant Games veteran; he has competed 7 times, even winning gold medals!

Pritchard was a living donor to his younger brother, having donated one of his kidneys to give his brother a second chance at life. “He didn’t want me to do it, but I did it anyway,” Howard Pritchard told the Daily Times in 2012. “It gave him an extra 10 years and he was a great person.”

As Pritchard stated, “one of the main reasons I do participate in the Transplant Games is to honor my brother.” Pritchard’s brother was also involved in the Transplant Games: bowling in 1998 and 2000 and later, alongside his brother, in the 5K run. Prichard’s brother sadly passed away from juvenile diabetes in 2001.

This year, Pritchard will once again honor his brother while going for the gold! And he will be accompanied by five other athletes from his hometown area, Delaware County.

Congratulations and good luck Howard!