State of Nevada
State of Nevada
Organ and Tissue Donation Task Force
Frankie Sue Del Papa
Assemblywoman Dawn Gibbons
Co-Chair
Co-Chair
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Danelle Snodgrass
April
21, 2004
(775)
687-6300
State of Nevada Organ and Tissue Donation Task Force Supports Team
Nevada for Upcoming U.S. Transplant Games
In
July 2004, thousands of unique athletes will compete in the U.S. Transplant
Games in Minnesota. The four-day,
Olympic-style games are designed specifically for athletes who have received a
second chance at life through the miracle of organ donation and transplantation
Events include running, cycling, swimming, volleyball, basketball, and
golf (just to name a few). Over 10,000 people are expected to participate in the
games.
Team
Nevada will be one of 49 teams competing in the upcoming U.S. Transplant Games.
Currently, Team Nevada consists of 16 transplant recipients. The youngest
athlete is 16; the oldest athlete is 73. Team
members reside throughout the state, including the cities of Las Vegas,
Henderson, Reno, Sparks, and Winnemucca. These
local athletes will work together to run, cycle, swim, and golf their way into
the record books for Nevada.
The
State of Nevada Organ and Tissue Donation Task Force is proud to announce its
support of Team Nevada. Using funds
from the Nevada Gift of Life Education
Fund, the Task Force has made a contribution towards team uniforms and
expenses.
-more-
The
Nevada Gift of Life Education Fund is supported by revenues from Nevada’s “organ donor” license
plates, as well as charitable contributions.
When Nevada drivers obtain or renew their driver’s license, they are
asked if they wish to donate $1 to the Nevada
Gift of Life Education Fund. Contributions
are used to support Nevada’s donor registry, purchase educational materials to
increase donation awareness, and sponsor worthy causes like the U.S. Transplant
Games.
In
the United States there are more than 84,000 people awaiting a life-saving organ
transplant. On an average day, 17
people will die waiting because of the scarcity of organ donors.
Until new science emerges, education is the key to this public health
crisis. The U.S. Transplant Games
are a wonderful way to demonstrate to the public that donation is necessary, and
that transplantation works.
The
Nevada State Organ and Tissue Donation Task Force is proud to sponsor Team
Nevada.
1000 E. William Street, Suite
200, Carson City, NV 89701
Phone: (775) 687-6300 ext. 233
Fax: (775) 687-6304