Toronto has been named host of the next Canadian Transplant Games.

The biennial event, which wrapped in Moncton July 12, is an athletic showcase for transplant recipients across the country. The next games are scheduled for August 2016.

Up to 500 athletes will compete in events that include track and field, tennis, golf, cycling, swimming and bowling.

All transplant recipients are welcome to participate, says Sandra Holdsworth, Ontario director for the Canadian Transplant Association.

“The games are about building relationships and meeting people that have all been through the same experiences, and to celebrate life,” says Holdsworth, 50, who received a liver transplant 17 years ago.

The games are open to all ages and abilities — the youngest participant at the Moncton games was just 4. Some events are for serious athletes, others are for participants who may not be at the top of their game.

Toronto resident and transplant recipient Helen Farinha, 62, just took part in her first Transplant Games in Moncton. Farinha, who received a heart transplant in 2011, went in hoping for one medal she could send to her donor family. She brought home four, including a gold in the 100-metre dash. “I can do so many more things than I could do (before the transplant),” she says.

Farinha, who helped with the Toronto bid, is already signing up volunteers for the games.

Holdsworth says the games always help boost registration rates in host cities. “Even though Toronto is known for its transplant centres and a lot of us get our transplants in Toronto, the organ donation rates are really low,” Holdsworth says.

The games are an opportunity to honour donors and their families, as well as demonstrating to everyone why donation is worthwhile.

“People will be able to see the organ transplant works,” Farinha says. “People lead active lives after transplant.