The University of Nebraska Medical Center Solid Organ Transplant Program
will host the 3rd Annual Life-a-thon walk, run, in-line skate or bike event
on Saturday, May 17, at Zorinsky Lake, 3700 S. 156th St. The public is
invited to the family event which promotes the need for organ and tissue
donation and the success of transplantation. It also recognizes those who
have donated the "Gift of Life," said Kolleen Thompson, coordinator
of UNMC’s organ recovery services.
The gift of organs and tissues from one individual can save the lives
of up to eight people and improve the lives of more than 40 people. This
year, James Wilson, Sr., retired Omaha police officer, joins UNMC in promoting
organ and tissue donor awareness. He lost his son, Omaha police officer,
Jimmy Wilson, Jr., who was shot and killed in 1995, after pulling over
a van. Wilson Sr. gave final consent to donate his son’s organs which saved
the lives of several people.
Some of the proceeds from the Life-a-thon will go toward the "Protecting
the Protectors" project to support police officers and firefighters
in Omaha. The Life-a-thon features non-competitive and competitive running,
walking, biking and in-line skating events for adults and children, including
4.2- or 7-mile and a 30-mile bike ride with staggered starting times between
8 and 8:30 a.m. A pancake breakfast will be served by the Pancake Man near
the conclusion of the events. Several childrens’ play activities will be
held, plus a display of UNMC’s SkyMed helicopter and a fire engine.
Registration fee is $15 for adults and $9 for children 12 and under.
The cost includes a T-shirt, pancake breakfast and a prize when participants
finish their event. Others who choose to attend but not participate in
the events may purchase T-shirts and pancake breakfasts. Activities for
children are free.
"One of the major goals of Life-a-thon is to increase awareness
among the public of the critical need for organ and tissue donation,"
said Thompson. "Education and awareness about the need for organ and
tissue donation is the key to getting more people to make an informed decision
about organ donation."
Since last May, more than 3,900 people have died while waiting for organ
transplants, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) in
Richmond, Va. UNOS maintains the national registry for all candidates who
are on waiting lists for solid organ transplants in the United States.
More than 50,000 people are on the national waiting list for an organ transplant,
6,000 more than last year.
Internationally-recognized in transplantation, UNMC annually performs
about 150 liver, kidney, small bowel, pancreas, heart and lung transplants.
For more information about the event or registration forms, call (402)
559-9566. Registration forms are available at UNMC, Lawlor’s Sporting Goods
and Walk and Run Fitness.