Mark McIntosh on Bill McCartney, Kidney Transplants & Bringing the Transplant Games to Denver | OTGS

In this episode of The Other Tom Green Show, Tom is joined by former Channel 4 and 9 sportscaster Mark McIntosh for a wide-ranging conversation that blends Denver sports history with a deeply personal journey through adversity and recovery. McIntosh recalls his time covering CU football during Bill McCartney’s rise, the impact of legendary Denver broadcasters like Ron Zappolo and Irv Brown, and what it was like competing in the local television sports landscape during its most competitive era. He then opens up about being diagnosed with amyloidosis — a rare and incurable blood cancer that led to kidney failure — and how an unexpected comment from a gas station clerk prompted him to seek medical help that ultimately saved his life. After months of dialysis and chemotherapy at UC Anschutz, McIntosh received a life-saving kidney transplant from a living donor through the National Kidney Registry. Now serving as Chair of the Host Committee for the Transplant Games of America coming to Denver this June, he’s on a mission to educate the public about organ donation and the growing kidney crisis affecting communities across the country. Chapters: 00:00:00 Tom’s Colorado Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame induction 00:02:15 Mark McIntosh joins the show 00:03:19 Inspired by Ron Zappolo during John Elway’s rookie year 00:05:33 Covering CU football during Bill McCartney’s rise 00:07:21 Sideline interviews with McCartney 00:09:04 McCartney’s early recruiting impact in Colorado 00:12:18 Building relationships with recruits and families 00:14:28 McCartney’s faith and decision to resign in 1994 00:16:15 Changes in the local TV sports industry 00:19:02 Transition to Colorado & Company 00:21:41 Writing and life coaching after divorce 00:22:54 Career-ending injury in high school 00:26:08 Work with the Denver Rescue Mission 00:28:55 Early warning signs of kidney failure 00:31:20 Diagnosis of amyloidosis 00:33:03 Beginning dialysis and chemotherapy at UC Anschutz 00:37:38 Being told he needs a kidney transplant 00:40:15 Meeting his donor through the National Kidney Registry 00:44:35 Recovery after transplant surgery 00:47:27 Advocating for organ donation 00:50:31 Donor Awareness Month 00:53:30 Transplant Games of America coming to Denver 00:56:07 The Irv Brown Endowment Fund at MSU Denver 00:59:23 Final thoughts on organ donation and wellness