Community Invited to Kick Off U.S. Transplant Games
INAUGURAL 5K RUN/WALK FOR ORGAN, TISSUE AND EYE DONATION
MADISON - The entire community is invited to join the 7,500 visitors from all over the nation coming to Madison for the 2010 National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games® by participating in the inaugural 5K Run/Walk for Organ, Tissue and Eye Donation on Saturday, July 31 at 9:00 a.m.
The 5K Run/Walk is a way for everyone, not just members of the transplant and donation community, to get involved and raise awareness for the critical need for organ donation. In the U.S. more than 108,000 men, women and children are waiting for a life-saving organ donation. In Wisconsin, more than 1,500 still wait.
“On July 31st, when you say YES I WILL by running, walking or cheering from the sidelines, you will be saying that there is a way to ‘end the wait’ for those who are sick and need a transplant,” said Cindy Huber, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin.
The U.S. Transplant Games are a biennial, Olympic-style event, which began in 1990 and will be held in Madison July 30 – August 4, 2010. The event is a way to not only encourage rehabilitation benefits for transplant recipients, but it is also a unique opportunity for those recipients, along with living donors and donor family members, to gather together and celebrate the gift of life they’ve received, given or watched a loved one give.
“I know firsthand how life changing organ donation is because I donated a kidney to my brother several years ago,” said Jack Salzwedel, President and Chief Operating Officer of American Family Insurance, sponsor of the 5K Run/Walk. “I’d encourage anyone who is interested to attend these events and support the athletes and living donors, and remember those who passed away.”
The 5K Run/Walk gives everyone a chance to celebrate life. At the end of the Run/Walk there will be finish line festivities, sponsored by the Madison Area Lions and Lioness Clubs, including entertainment and awards, food and beverage and a pin trading area.
The deadline to preregister online for $20 is Friday, July 16. To register, go to YesIWillWisconsin.com and click on the run/walk dot. Participants can still register the day of the event for $30.
YES I WILL WISCONSIN t-shirts can also be purchased online and participants are encouraged to sport their spirit by wearing the t-shirt for the event.
The 5K Run/Walk for Organ, Tissue and Eye Donation will be an incredible experience for the entire community.
“You will see for yourself the living definition of a ‘second chance at life,’” said Huber about the event.
COUNTDOWN BEGINS TO 2010 NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION U.S. TRANPSLANT GAMES®
(June 3, 2010 – Madison, WI) In less than 60 days, an expected 7,500 visitors from across the country will arrive in Wisconsin to participate in the 2010 U.S. Transplant Games. The Legacy of Life Tour, a statewide tour that will visit 10 cities, officially kicks off the countdown to the Games.
The Legacy Tour acts as a lead-in to the Games, and features a series of community events around the state that will recognize local transplant recipients, living donors and donor families attending the Games as members of Team Wisconsin. In addition, each of the events will include a special presentation of a panel from Patches of Love: The National Donor Quilt.
“Through the Legacy of Life Tour, Wisconsin citizens will be able to witness first-hand the success of transplantation and the life-saving nature of organ and tissue donation within their own communities,” said Cindy Huber, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin, who is organizing the Legacy Tour.
The U.S. Transplant Games, which come to Madison July 30-August 4, are an Olympic-style event for athletes who have received a life-saving organ transplant of any type (kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas and bone marrow). Transplant athletes of all ages will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals in 12 different sports including 5K run/walk, badminton, singles and doubles bowling, basketball, cycling, golf, swimming, singles and doubles tennis, track and field and volleyball.
Special events honoring living and deceased donors are highlights of the Games, as are the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Presented biennially since 1990 by the National Kidney Foundation, the Games draw participants from across the country who are organized into state teams.
Team Wisconsin boasts more than 600 members, followed by Team Philadelphia with 300 members. More than 1,500 transplant recipient athletes are expected to attend the Games which will bring an estimated economic impact of more than $2.55 million.
The Games are not only for members of the transplant and donation community and are not just another event in Wisconsin. “Even if you don’t have a personal connection to donation, participating in the Games in some way will change you profoundly,” said Krista Flanagan, co-chair of the Games Organizing Committee, noting that more than 1,200 volunteers are needed for the Games and the community is invited to participate in the Games 5K Run/Walk.
Echoing that sentiment is Trey Schwab, a double-lung transplant recipient himself who is the Outreach Coordinator for the UW Health Organ Procurement Organization and also co-chair of the Games Organizing Committee, “I encourage everyone to volunteer for the Games, participate in the 5K and/or attend the Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies.” He added, “At no other event have I ever witnessed such a sense of community, encouragement and just an overall sense of gratitude than at the Transplant Games.”
Hosting the Games, inviting the community to volunteer, attend the Games and participate in the 5K, as well as coordination of the Legacy Tour, all is being done to raise awareness of the critical need for more organ, tissue and eye donors.
Today in the United States, more than 107,000 men, women and children are waiting to receive a life-saving organ transplant. In Wisconsin alone, more than 1,500 of our family members, co-workers and neighbors are waiting.
Sidebars:
Community 5K Run/Walk for Organ, Tissue and Eye Donation Saturday, July 31 at 9:00 a.m. at the Capitol Square Registration (before July 16): $20; Day of Registration: $30 www.YesIWillWisconsin.com - Click on Run/Walk
Legacy of Life Tour Event Dates and Locations: June 8: LaCrosse and Eau Claire June 9: Wausau and Marshfield June 10: Green Bay and Appleton June 14: Kenosha June 15: Janesville June 22: Milwaukee June 23: Madison
Statewide Sponsors: UW Hospital and Clinics, Froedtert Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Aurora Health Care, Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau, National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin, American Family Insurance, Schuster’s Playtime Farm, Trek Bicycle Corporation, American Family Children’s Hospital, Madison Area Lion and Lioness Clubs, SVA, CUNA Mutual Foundation, Dean & St. Mary’s, Group Health Cooperative, WPS Health Insurance and Ancora Coffee Roasters
TV’s 30 Rock Urges Kidney Donation in Musical Season Finale
The season’s final episode of the Emmy-award winning comedy 30 Rock not only featured lots of laughs, but also an opportunity to promote organ donation and support the National Kidney Foundation. The show featured special guest star Alan Alda, whose character needs a kidney transplant. The specially written song – “He Needs A Kidney” – brought out top musical talent Sheryl Crow, Elvis Costello, Mary J. Blige, Cyndi Lauper and the Beastie Boys, among other major stars.
To generate additional awareness for the cause, NBC producers have partnered with iTunes to distribute a video of the song online for six months after the show airs. All proceeds will benefit NKF. Visit the 30 Rock page on iTumes.com!
Rusty Wallace: Driven to Fight Kidney Disease
Many believe Rusty Wallace is the best short-track driver in NASCAR history. A former NASCAR champion, a NASCAR Nationwide Series car owner, ESPN broadcaster and co-host of the TV series “NASCAR Angels”, he has added NKF’s Kidney Cars spokesman to his lest of endeavors! Rusty is now featured in new TV and radio commercials and print ads for NKF’s Kidney Cars donation program.
Rusty offered to help NKF after learning a business partner of his had kidney disease. You can see the entire Rusty Wallace Kidney Cars campaign at www.kidneycars.org.
A recent award from Charity Navigator demonstrates our commitment to serve the needs of kidney patients in an efficient manner.
"QUOTE"
I am very pleased to report that the National Kidney Foundation has received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest independent evaluator of charities. Charity Navigator wrote to NKF:
"Receiving four out of a possible four stars indicates that your organization excels, as compared to other charities in America, in successfully managing the finances of your organization in an efficient and effective manner. This rise in your rating is an exceptional feat, especially given the economic challenges many charities have had to face in the last year. A 4-star rating from Charity Navigator gives your supporters confidence in the National Kidney Foundation's ability to maximize the charitable return on their contribution. Once again, congratulations on your 4-star rating from Charity Navigator". And just as a reminder of additional demonstrations of the Foundation's strength in the charity marketplace, don't forget to let your constituents and donors know that:
** NKF is a member agency and in full compliance with the National Health Council's "Standards of Excellence"
** NKF has received the BBB Wise Giving Alliance's Charity Seal.
Suzanne
SUZANNE J. WYCKOFF Executive Vice President National Kidney Foundation, Inc. 30 E.33rd Street, Suite 800 New York, NY 10016 800/622-9010 x234 suzannew@kidney.org
"END QUOTE"
Testimonials
A few words of thanks we have received at the NKFW.
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"Thank you for sending me the "Living Well on Dialysis" Cookbook. I think it will be very helpful for meal preparation for my Dad.
- Martha K.
"I am the treasurer of the Western Wisconsin Agricultural Museum. Our organization hosts an annual antique tractor ride, and the monies raised are put into a charity fund, which are then distributed to an individual, or organization such as yours to help benefit others.
“This year we have decided to send $500 to your organization. We are sending it in memory of one of our members, Sylvester H., who several years back received a kidney through a transplant donor.
“His wife Dorothy needs a kidney transplant, also. We hope that this can help in making more miracles happen!”
- Arnold K.
“There is no question about it - with your help Christian Union Missionary Baptist Church 1st Community Health & Wellness Fair was a success.
To us a successful event meant being able to help others. Our world has so many people in need of acts of kindness. Thanks to your generous contributions & dedication to share with us, the people in the neighborhood and community have benefited from the Free Health Information.
May God richly bless you,
Sis. Angela Wright – Event Chairperson
Sis. Mary Floyd, Sis. Jewel Jiles, Sis. Dinah Sims – Co Chairpersons”
