Cyclists Raise Awareness For Organ Donation

Folsom Seventh-Grader Takes Part In Cause Close To His Heart

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A seventh-grader from Folsom is one of many people cycling to raise awareness for organ donation Friday morning in downtown Sacramento, and it's a cause that touches him personally.

Connor Ellison has congenital hepatic fibrosis, which causes scar tissue to build up in his liver, and he may need a transplant someday.

Along with David Landsberg, the founder of the Society for Organ Donation Awareness, Ellison will lead the California stretch of Donor's Rock Ride.

The riders go 50 miles on 50 rides in 50 days in 50 states, said Landsberg, who received a kidney transplant in 1999.

He said the group strives to open up a social dialogue about how easy it is to donate, and honor donors. Another goal is to educate people and get them online, so they can learn more about the cause.

Friday, the group will ride five 10-mile loops around the Capitol.

Ellison is in the process of forming a juniors team. In 2010, he was the youngest person ever to complete Race Across America, a 3,000-mile race with Team Donate Life.

Source: KCRA TV, Sacramento