American Transplant Foundation » In The News

National Donor Sabbath

Kyle Pietari — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:14:21 +0000

On Sunday, November 13th, eight churches in seven Colorado cities raised awareness about living organ donation in observance of National Donor Sabbath. This made Colorado the first state to focus the annual event on living donation.

The Glenwood Springs Post Independent printed a front-page story about National Donor Sabbath and American Transplant Foundation volunteer Kathy Spring-Lechuga and her family. View the Glenwood Springs Post Independent story here.

The Denver Post also covered the story from a statewide perspective. View the Denver Post story here.

KDVR 31 did a story about Pastor David Baca of the Crossing Church of the Nazarene, located in Westminster, Colorado. Watch the video below or cli ck here for the full story.

Click here for American Transplant Foundation’s press release.

TLC Team Runs in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver Marathon

Kyle Pietari — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:08:02 +0000

On Sunday, October 9, 2011, a team of 13 Transplant Leadership Council (TLC) Founding Members and supporters ran in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver Marathon. Members of the team participated in the full-marathon, half-marathon, and half-marathon relay.

Gavin Maitland, a double-lung recipient who ran with the team, was interviewed by NBC 9 News and CBS Channel 4.

KDVR Channel 31 posted the story online.

Watch the news clip from CBS Channel 4 below:

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Watch the news clip from NBC 9 News below, or click here for the full story.

Click here for the press release.

“Celebrate Life – Part 2″

Kyle Pietari — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 18:14:03 +0000

On October 2nd, 2011, living kidney donors Laura Altobelli and Denver Police Detective Danny Veith hosted “Celebrate Life – Part 2.” The party was organized to promote living organ donation and raise funds to support other transplant patients through American Transplant Foundation’s Patient Assistance Program.

Lawyers of the decade: Steve Farber

Katie Cicerchi — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 19:19:07 +0000

Congratulations to Steve Farber, our founder and chairman of the board, for being selected as one of Law Week Colorado‘s Lawyers of the Decade!

From Law Week Colorado‘s “Lawyers of the Decade” article, March 14, 2011:

“Farber used a personal hardship as a springboard for service to others. In 2003, doctors told him he needed a kidney transplant. After a year searching for a donor, his son Gregg proved to be a match and donated one of his own. The experience led Farber write a book, On the List: Fixing America’s Failing Organ Transplant System. He also founded the nonprofit American Transplant Foundation to raise awareness of organ donation.”

We would like to thank Steve for his continued commitment to the American Transplant Foundation and organ and tissue donation.

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According to him: Stephanie Riggs speaks candidly with Steven Farber

Katie Cicerchi — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 22:23:00 +0000

Spring 2011 – Colorado View

Steve Farber is interviewed about his experience with kidney failure, his transplant, and what drove him to found the American Transplant Foundation in the latest issue of Colorado View magazine:

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Anastasia Darwish’s interview on Comcast Newsmakers

Katie Cicerchi — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 19:48:55 +0000

April 2011 – Comcast Newsmakers

Anastasia Darwish is interviewed about National Donate Life Month, myths about organ and tissue donation, Team Transplant and more!

“Transplanting” – Denver Post

Katie Cicerchi — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 21:49:21 +0000

November 30, 2010 – Penny Parker, Denver Post

“Heidi Heltzel, executive director and co-founder of attorney Steve Farber‘s American Transplant Foundation, is leaving the post after more than five years.

‘It was a bittersweet decision to leave the foundation,’ Heltzel said in an e-mail. ‘I was recently married, and my husband lives and works in Vail, so I’m moving there and am excited to start the next chapter of my life.’

Farber, a well-connected power broker, started the foundation with Heltzel and Dr. Larry Chan after the lawyer went through a kidney transplant with a donated organ from his son, Gregg.

‘We’re going to miss Heidi. She’s brought a lot to the table,’ Farber said. “But I’m excited about some of the current applicants…”

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Feel Good Friday: Organ donor gets surprise recognition

Katie Cicerchi — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 22:41:21 +0000

November 19, 2010 – Ken Clark, KDVR Denver

Steve Crider, a living kidney donor and American Transplant Foundation volunteer, recognizes the woman who saved his daughter Kelsey’s life through this story on Fox 31 KDVR Denver.

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Kidney donor and recipient to cycle with ‘Team Transplant’ to promote living organ donation

Katie Cicerchi — Thu, 20 May 2010 17:45:21 +0000

May 19, 2010 – Alice Hughes, YourHub.com

“…’I encourage everyone to investigate and consider donation,’ says Chris [de Paola]. ‘We have the capability to save the lives of people who have families, children, and friends. People who may have stories like mine, stories that end with multiple lives being saved and others changed for the better.’

To celebrate their health, Chris will fly to Colorado to cycle 34 miles with Michelle at the Subaru Elephant Rock Ride on Sunday, June 6th in Castle Rock. They are riding with Team Transplant, a charity team formed by the Denver-based American Transplant Foundation to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation. Many other transplant recipients and living organ donors are riding to prove that it’s possible to lead a healthy, active lifestyle after a transplant…”

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Lella’s family supports donors

Katie Cicerchi — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 10:00:40 +0000

In 2009, the American Transplant Foundation successfully ran legislation through the Colorado General Assembly to create Donate Life license plates in Colorado. The Delta County Independent profiled Lella, a young liver recipient, and her family with their plates this April during National Donate Life Month!

“…Recently the Donate Life license plate was released and when Lella’s family found out, they knew that it was one more way to promote knowledge about donation. “We thought what a great time to update everyone on how well she is doing and to let everyone know of the new license plates,” Lyndall said. “We signed the petition for the license plate last summer at the Donor Dash, a 5K race in Denver that we ran as ‘Lella’s Team.’ ”…”

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