From Andorra to Dresden: Toni’s First World Transplant Games

Toni Gamero Barrantes — known as Toneti to his friends — carried a story of courage, gratitude, and new beginnings to Dresden 2025, where he competed in his first-ever World Transplant Games.

In September 2019, at the age of 48, Toni was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. He knew from the start that his survival would depend on a bone marrow transplant. On April 7, 2020, at the height of the pandemic and under strict lockdowns in Spain and Germany, Toni received his life-saving transplant in Barcelona.

It was not an easy journey. He spent 13 months in Barcelona, far from his home in Andorra and separated from family and friends. Yet through perseverance, he reached recovery.

💚 A Lifesaving Gift

Toni later learned that his donor was a 35-year-old man from Germany.

“He is the person who saved my life, who gave me a second chance, who made it possible for me to enjoy sport and the World Transplant Games.”

Competing in Dresden — in his donor’s country — made his debut all the more meaningful.

🌟 Giving Back at Home

Since 2020, Toni has also served as President of ATIDA, the Association of Transplant Patients and Donors of Andorra. In his small country, he leads projects that support transplant recipients and promote awareness and gratitude for donors.

🇦🇩 A Small But Mighty Team

In Dresden, Andorra’s delegation proudly included four athletes: Toni, Kiko, Miguel, and Mari. For Toni, stepping onto the world stage was both a celebration of survival and a tribute to the donor who gave him life.

💚 “It is beautiful that my first Games take place in my donor’s country. I am so excited to compete and to honour him.”