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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Melissa Chediak-Wetzel
Special Events Manager
954.295.6024
305.817.5645

CHARITY WALK TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT ORGAN DONATION

MIAMI (Nov. 16)—There are over 98,000 individuals awaiting a life-saving transplant and Transplant Foundation wants to do something about it. Transplant Foundation will host the 5K Miracle Walk/Run, on Sunday, November 18th at the Miami Metro Zoo from 8:00-11:00 a.m. 

With just a week after National Donor Sabbath weekend (November 9-11), this organ donor awareness event is an outreach effort to get the South Florida community educated on the importance of organ donation. 

“Now is the time to bring organ donation awareness to the community,” said Adam Goldstein, 13-year old committee member.  Adam’s uncle is a double-lung recipient so he knows firsthand the miracle of transplantation.  Eli Compton, Executive Director of Transplant Foundation had this to add, “Statistics don’t lie.  One person can save or enhance the lives of up to 50 people.  There is no reason for so many individuals to be waiting for a transplant.  It is vital to educate the community that each of us can be a hero.  Each of us can be an organ donor and pass it on.”

There are at least 300 participants anticipated including professional golfer heart transplant recipient, Erik Compton, who will greet the walkers and talk briefly about organ donation.  After participants finish the 3.1-mile course, they can pick up statistics and other information on organ donation, as well as sign up to become an organ donor at our Health Fair.  Other health fair vendors include XDx Expression Diagnostics, Roche Pharmaceuticals, BioScrip Pharmacy and Keiser College, who will provide participants with complimentary massages.

 The registration fee includes breakfast, ice cream from Carvel, t-shirt, goodie bag, health fair, music, entertainment, and admission to the park, so walkers can stay and enjoy the day. 

The Miami Metro Zoo is located at 12400 SW 152 Street in South Miami.

Transplant Foundation, affiliated with the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami, is a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to funding patient services, public education to increase organ donation and lifesaving transplant research.  For more information on Transplant Foundation, contact the office at 305-817-5645 or visit the website at www.transplantfoundation.org.