Candy Pagel

Hometown 
Shoreview, Minnesota 

Connection to donation/transplantation
I had a living donor liver transplant from my sister Lori McEvoy in 2000 at The University of Minnesota. 

Competitions/Events at the 2024 Transplant Games of America 
I will be competing in bowling, pickleball and volleyball. 

How many Transplant Games have you attended? 
I have attended all the US Transplant Games since 2004 other than in 2012. This will be my 10th Games.

Why do you participate in the Transplant Games? 
The Games are a great way to celebrate the life that we have been given as well as to promote organ donation so that many more future lives can be extended.

One thing you want others to know about donation.
My transplant has allowed me to do and see so many wonderful things over the last 24 years. I got married, had a post-transplant daughter and was able to watch both of my daughters grow up. I currently have three beautiful granddaughters. I have also enjoyed a 24-year career as a school counselor in St Paul where I have worked with thousands of students. I will forever be grateful for the extension of my life given to me by my sister. I also would like to thank all organ donors and donor families for the tremendous gifts they have shared with all of us.