A Waterloo man is spreading word about the gift of life through organ donation by participating in a nationwide awareness event: the Transplant Games of America.

Chuck Keller recently participated in the games, which take place every two years.

This July, he traveled to Houston, Texas with his family to take part in the five-day event.

Four years ago, Keller received a kidney from his sister, Kandace. Keller had a genetic kidney disease that he found out about in 2000. Over the next 10 years, his kidneys deteriorated.

“When it came time and my kidneys had failed enough, they told me I needed to think about a transplant or get on the list,” Keller said. “I did, and fortunately for me, I had a few people who were interested in donating.”

One of his two sisters was a match, and Keller underwent a successful transplant operation on July 15, 2010.

Following his transplant, Keller heard about the Transplant Games of America through Team Transplant St. Louis.

“When you have a transplant, you’re a member of the transplant group that kind of checks on you and does your blood tests monthly,” he said. “(Team Transplant St. Louis) saw my name on the list and contacted me.”

The team, along with the games, accepts participants of all ages.

“On our team, we had people from 4 years old to 70 years old,” Keller said. “There’s age groups for everything. Seeing the kids is the best part.”

He couldn’t go to the games two years ago because of a trip to Europe, but made plans to go the next time the games were hosted in 2014.

“It’s a very neat event for awareness and organ transplants,” he said.

The event began with an opening ceremony for the 3,000 participants to celebrate the gift of life.

“It’s a very emotional time, especially talking to the donor families who have lost a loved one,” Keller said.

Keller’s time in Houston consisted of many events, which he excelled in.

He participated in the 5K run and 5K and 20K cycling events, a 500-meter freestyle swim, plus golf and basketball.  He even received medals in his age

group for 5K running, adult recreational basketball and the virtual triathlon.

“I received one of my medals from a donor family who had lost their son a year before,” he said. “It’s a very emotional time, but he saved seven lives by donating his organs.”

Keller loved playing team basketball, because the team was made up of all different kinds of people.

“There was a young boy on Team St. Louis who is physically challenged and got a kidney from his father when he was 18 months old,” Keller said. “He’s 14 now, and playing basketball with him was the most satisfying thing as far as events go because we were able to win a bronze medal and he was so excited.”

Being around people like that young boy were the highlight of Keller’s trip.

“My favorite parts were meeting transplant recipients,” he said. “I’ve never been around a happier group of people. They’re so grateful and happy to be alive.”

He also loved hearing their stories.

“They don’t ask where you’re from,” he said. “They ask ‘what did you get?’”

Keller said his involvement in Team Transplant St. Louis is all about spreading the word about organ donation and educating people about how organ donation can be a life-giving gift.

“I always say I should’ve been a little nicer to my younger sister, because I kind of owe her now,” he said with a laugh.

For more information on organ donation and other resources on the topic of organ donation, visit www.mts-stl.org/get-involved/team-transplant-st-louis.