In 1986, a 21-year-old collegiate soccer player named Simon Keith, received a heart transplant from a 17-year-old Welsh boy, who died on the soccer field of a brain hemorrhage. Three years to the exact date of his transplant, Simon was drafted #1 overall into the USA’s Major Indoor Soccer League, making him the first person to play a professional sport after undergoing a heart transplant. Far surpassing the ten year average life expectancy of a transplanted heart, Simon went 33 years before he received another life-saving heart and kidney transplant. These incredible gifts not only saved Simon's life, but created a lifelong advocate and leader for the donation and transplantation community.

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In 2011, Simon established The Simon Keith Foundation, which is dedicated to providing financial support to youths, primarily who have undergone a life-saving organ transplant, who desire a return to an active and healthy lifestyle. In addition to helping people with their non-medical expenses, Simon’s foundation strives to increase organ donor registration through public awareness campaigns.

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In recent years, Simon and his foundation have become strong and active partners of the Transplant Games of America, with both organizations striving to increase the amount of organs in play. At the 2018 Transplant Games, Simon served as the emcee for the Opening Ceremony, where he welcomed our community to Salt Lake City, UT and passionately kicked off the world’s largest celebration of life.  That same year, The Simon Keith Foundation sponsored EVERY registered child from the USA and Canada that attended the Salt Lake City Games!