FOUND FAMILY: ONE PERSON CAN HELP UP TO EIGHT LIVES FOR LARRY AND BETH SPARKS, the tragedy of losing their son Clayton to a ski accident in 2019 was compounded by grief. But through his decision to donate organs, the couple found an unexpected source of healing: a new family. Clayton’s liver was transplanted into Reid Gray, and his heart went to Jay Renshaw. What began as a medical necessity evolved into a deep, personal connection between the Sparks and the Grays. Because the donation to Gray was directed—the Sparks chose him as the recipient—the families lived relatively close to one another, just 45 minutes apart. “They’re like our adopted son and daughter,” Larry Sparks said. “They’ve brought a joy to us … that we wouldn’t have since Clayton was our only son.” The bond has allowed the Sparks to welcome Oliver and Kaylee, Reid and Abby Gray’s children, as their grandchildren. For Abby Gray, who wrote a children’s book about Clayton to help her sons understand their father as a “superhero,” the relationship has been transformative. “Without this family, life would be so different for us,” Beth Sparks said. “It brings us hope and happiness and joy that we didn’t think we would ever have again.” Renshaw, who received Clayton’s heart, described meeting the Sparks at the Transplant Games as “surreal.” “[Saying] thank you just isn’t enough,” Renshaw said. “I would love to have gone to have a beer with him.” Gray echoed those sentiments, noting the similarities he discovered between himself and Clayton. “I’d love to say thank you,” Gray said. “[My donor] was a wonderful guy.” For Kim Castellano, a heart recipient from Omaha, Nebraska, meeting Thomaree Holland, the 15-year-old daughter of her donor, offered a different kind of closure. Castellano, who had a congenital heart defect and underwent more than 30 surgeries in her lifetime, met Holland for the first time at the games. “It was bittersweet,” Holland said. “It was nice, though. Nice Nydia Gonzalez, a Denver Public Schools’ Early Childhood Education Head Start program teacher (right), dances with another CareDx 5k runner after completing the 5K race. to know my mom’s heart went to someone who could appreciate it.” Castellano noticed immediate connections between herself and her late donor, including a shared love for Chick-fil-A—a craving she developed only after her transplant. “I think about my donor every single day,” Castellano said. “She raised some beautiful children, and my hope is that I can somehow honor her by taking good care of this heart.” Medical professionals noted that technology played a crucial “They’ve brought a joy to us … that we wouldn’t have since Clayton was our only son.” role in these connections. XVIVO, a sponsor of the games, provided preservation technology that keeps hearts viable for longer periods, allowing organs to travel greater distances. This innovation helped bridge the gap between donors and recipients, expanding the pool of potential matches and enabling reunions like those seen at the games. “At XVIVO, our mission is that no one should die waiting for organs,” said Jenny, a medical professional with the company. “We’re excited about making our goal of no one dying waiting on an organ a reality.” DENVER VOICE AUGUST 2026 11
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