DONATE LIFE ORGAN DONATION AWARENESS -URBANDALE, IOWA

Organ recipient to run Half Marathon in memory of donor

URBANDALE, IOWA -- Press Release from Triathlons for Transplants

Triathlons for Transplants has announced that Chairman John Wright will run the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon in memory of his donor, Vanesa Thomas.  Miss Thomas, of Centerville, IA, was killed in an auto accident nearly a month after her 16th birthday and her decision to be an organ donor saved the lives of 6 people, including Mr. Wright. 

The 13.1 mile race will be Mr. Wright’s longest race distance since before his illness causing Diabetes and End Stage Renal Failure.   “It will be Vanesa’s first attempt at a race of this length and we will do it together”, said the founder of the transplant awareness group.  Wright picked this race because it will also be the 4th anniversary of his transplant surgery.  “Vanesa and I have been together for 4 years now and we have come to an understanding.  I do the easy stuff and she does the hard stuff.  When I want to stop, it’s her turn to keep me going.  We make a good team.”

Triathlons for Transplants is a group of endurance athletes that use their racing in order communicate their message to the community.  The group also speaks publicly to raise awareness to the need for more organ donors in the United States and around the world.  There are currently more than 108,000 people in the U.S. awaiting an organ transplant and 18 people die each day awaiting the life saving gift. 

“The oddest part of the Organ Donation puzzle”, says Wright, “is that 96% of Americans believe that donating organs is the right thing to do, but only 38% are registered to donate their organs.  Our puzzle is to figure out a way to get those folks that believe to sign up.”  Triathlons for Transplants utilizes a grass roots program to get people involved by telling personal stories in a small group setting. 

The IMT Des Moines Half Marathon will be held on October 17th, 2010.  Board member and living donor Doug Cutchins will run the IMT Des Moines Marathon on the same day. 

Triathlons for Transplants is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  The athletes are sponsored by Kuota of North America, Fluid Recovery Drink, and ProMotion Wetsuits.  Information on the organization can be found at www.triathlonsfortransplants.org.  Persons interested in signing up to become an organ donor can visit www.organdonor.gov.