Stacey Ford's YMCA StoryFrom Recovery to the Podium

Stacey Ford’s three medals at the 2026 Transplant Games of America were won in the pool but her journey but her journey to get there began nearly seven years ago. In the winter of 2019-2020, Stacey began a medical fight she continues today.

During the winter of 2019-2020, Stacey noticed she was losing feeling in her hands, arms, and legs. After months of tests and doctors visits she received a blood transfusion but ultimately lost complete feeling in both her arms and legs. Stacey was diagnosed with serve acute sensory neuropathy and did everything in her capacity to manage this chronic condition.

In the summer of 2022, during a video call with her daughter, Stacey noticed a yellowing of her eyes. This prompted more doctor visits and tests, and ultimately identifying the need for a liver transplant. Stacey underwent a successful liver transplant but was isolated to her home for nearly two years to safely recover.

By May of 2024, Stacey had regained enough strength to travel and was able to get back into the pool. A lifelong swimmer, she slowly built back her strength and was able to safely leave her home – despite the continued impact of neuropathy in her arms and legs.

In late 2025, Stacey learned about the Transplant Games of America – a biannual athletic competition for transplant recipients, donors, and donor families. As a former WVU swimmer Stacey needed a location to train that was safe and accessible.

In came the Natelli Family YMCA – “I was able to access the pool as a handicapped person who cannot feel her legs and feet, that was imperative for.” Stacey trained 3x weekly. She built connections with fellow swimmers, Y members, and the lifeguards. “The lifeguard staff is exceptional – they are on-point and cognizant of what is going on at all times.”

By the end of the 2026 Denver Games, Stacey stood upon the podium with two gold medals and one silver. She now reflects on the experience and what the future holds. Competing at the Transplant Games renewed her sense of independence – “I’ve spent a lot of time alone at the my house during five years of illness and feel safe and free to explore other ways to gain my strenght back outside of the pool.”

The YMCA’s clean facilities and accessibility to lap swim is part of what drives her to maintain her training regime and be ready to compete at the next Transplant Games in 2028. More importantly, she hopes to spread the word about the incredible community she met in Denver and to continue her lifelong passion of coaching and mentoring.