Over 6,000 people run/walk for organ donation
Participants show their support by attending sixth annual event
By: Daniel Monzon
Issue date: 5/6/08 Section: News
A wide and varied collection of organizations joined with thousands of donor family members at the sixth annual Donate Life Run/Walk at Cal State Fullerton to support the life-saving cause of organ and tissue donation.
Last year more than 8,000 deceased donors made more than 22,000 organ transplants possible. There were nearly 7,000 transplants from living donors.
However, "demand for organ, eye and tissue transplants continues to grow unmet," according to Donate Life America, "a not-for-profit alliance of national organizations and local coalitions across the United States dedicated to inspiring all people to save and enhance lives through organ, eye and tissue donation," at http://www.donatelife.net.
"We have already put it in our wills, so that our children know [our wishes]" said Gerrie Karczynski, who works at St. Joseph's Hospital and was there with her husband.
She attends organ donation consultations and renal transplants meetings.
"It's very important to donate because it saves people's lives by giving them life," Karczynski said.
Her husband Stan Karczynski, who works for St. Joseph's Home Health, reiterated those same sentiments.
"If you can save a life through something that happens to me or my wife, it feels good to know ahead of time that I might be able to help somebody," Stan said.
The Karczynskis said anyone of any age can participate in organ donation.
"It doesn't matter how old you are. Older people think that their organs are useless ... don't hesitate because you think you're too old," Karczynski said.
Sandra Ho, Asian Community Development Coordinator for OneLegacy, a Donate Life America organization, is working to motivate people to donate their organs and help and save someone's life.
"[Today] We have more than 6,000 people participating," Ho said. "It gets bigger every year."
There are close to 100,000 people, of all ages awaiting transplants to help them continue their life, according to a One Legacy pamphlet given at the event on April 26.
Last year more than 8,000 deceased donors made more than 22,000 organ transplants possible. There were nearly 7,000 transplants from living donors.
However, "demand for organ, eye and tissue transplants continues to grow unmet," according to Donate Life America, "a not-for-profit alliance of national organizations and local coalitions across the United States dedicated to inspiring all people to save and enhance lives through organ, eye and tissue donation," at http://www.donatelife.net.
"We have already put it in our wills, so that our children know [our wishes]" said Gerrie Karczynski, who works at St. Joseph's Hospital and was there with her husband.
She attends organ donation consultations and renal transplants meetings.
"It's very important to donate because it saves people's lives by giving them life," Karczynski said.
Her husband Stan Karczynski, who works for St. Joseph's Home Health, reiterated those same sentiments.
"If you can save a life through something that happens to me or my wife, it feels good to know ahead of time that I might be able to help somebody," Stan said.
The Karczynskis said anyone of any age can participate in organ donation.
"It doesn't matter how old you are. Older people think that their organs are useless ... don't hesitate because you think you're too old," Karczynski said.
Sandra Ho, Asian Community Development Coordinator for OneLegacy, a Donate Life America organization, is working to motivate people to donate their organs and help and save someone's life.
"[Today] We have more than 6,000 people participating," Ho said. "It gets bigger every year."
There are close to 100,000 people, of all ages awaiting transplants to help them continue their life, according to a One Legacy pamphlet given at the event on April 26.
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