TLC Team Runs in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver Marathon
Posted on 14. Oct, 2011 in Events, Past Events, Photos, Transplant Leadership Council, Website Archive
Gavin Maitland - runner, double-lung recipient, TLC Founding Member
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.
With great weather, thousands of cheering fans, and live music every mile of the course, it was a fun way to celebrate the TLC’s success in helping transplant patients across the country through American Transplant Foundation’s Patient Assistance Program.
Honored members of the team were Gavin Maitland, a double-lung recipient who ran 7.8 miles in the half-marathon relay, and Dr. Jeff Stripling, a living kidney donor who ran the full-marathon. The two are living proof that you can still be a runner after giving or receiving an organ!
The team gathered for a social after the race at The Cheeky Monk Pub.
Local News Channels 4, 9, and 31 all gave coverage of the story. See our In the News section.
Click here for the full Press Release.
National Donor Sabbath
Posted on 12. Oct, 2011 in Community Calendar, Events, Past Events, Website Archive
National Donor Sabbath - Nov. 11-13
FACT: All major faiths and denominations in the U.S. support both living and deceased donation.
Each year since 1997, two weekends before Thanksgiving, faith groups across the country raise awareness about the precious gift of organ and tissue donation in observance of National Donor Sabbath.
In past years, National Donor Sabbath focused on education and donor registration. Yet while the number of registered donors is at an all-time high (100 million Americans,) the transplant waiting list keeps growing. Therefore, it is critical that we also emphasize the importance of living organ donation.
In 2011, American Transplant Foundation will take a new approach by working with faith groups during National Donor Sabbath to spread the word that living organ donation is viable option to address the national shortage of transplant organs.
Information about National Donor Sabbath events
- Events will take place on November 11th, 12th, and 13th.
- Any group of any faith or denomination can participate.
- Participating faith leaders will discuss both living and deceased donation with their congregations.
- Faith groups are encouraged to do more, such as hold candle-light vigils, prayer breakfasts, faith education classes, or sponsor a transplant patient family in need of emergency assistance through American Transplant Foundation’s Patient Assistance Program.
With questions or to sign-up, email Kyle Pietari at kyle@americantransplantfoundation.org or call (303) 757-0959.
For more information about the national event, the positions of different faiths on organ and tissue donation, and what participants can do during the event, view the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) resource guide.
National Donor Sabbath is coordinated by Donate Life America.
Participating Groups
Augustana Lutheran Church – Denver, CO
Burns Memorial United Methodist Church – Aurora, CO
The Crossing Church of the Nazarene – Westminster, CO
Fellowship of the Rockies – Rifle, CO
First Presbyterian Church – Glenwood Springs, CO
First United Methodist Church – Glenwood Springs, CO
Green Mountain United Methodist Church – Lakewood, CO
The Orchard Church at Carbondale – Carbondale, CO
TLC Team for the Denver Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon
Posted on 04. Oct, 2011 in Events, Transplant Leadership Council, Website Archive
Living kidney donor Dr. Jeff Stripling, who will run 26.2 miles for the Transplant Leadership Council.
On Sunday, October 9th, a charity team for the Transplant Leadership Council (TLC) will participate in the Denver Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. The team, consisting of TLC Founding Members and supporters, will have runners in the full-marathon, half-marathon, and half-marathon relay.
Honored participants include Dr. Jeff Stripling, a living kidney donor running the full-marathon, and Gavin Maitland, a double-lung recipient running in the half-marathon relay. Both are living proof that a person can lead an active, healthy lifestyle after a transplant.
Funds raised for TLC will go 100% to American Transplant Foundation’s Patient Assistance Program, providing emergency financial assistance to transplant patients in need across the country.
For supporters, cheering squad, and participants, there will be a social afterward at The Cheeky Monk Pub, starting at 12:00 p.m. For more information, contact kyle@americantransplantfoundation.org.
TLC is a dynamic group of emerging young leaders who assist the American Transplant Foundation in the mission to reduce the growing list of men, women and children who are awaiting a lifesaving transplant. We are currently seeking new Founding Members. To learn about the benefits of becoming a Founding Member and how to join, click here.
Celebrate Life – Part 2
Posted on 03. Oct, 2011 in Events, Past Events, Website Archive
Danny Veith and Laura Altobelli receive a giant 'Thank You' card, honoring them for becoming living organ donors
On Sunday, October 2nd, Denver Police Detective Danny Veith and Laura Altobelli hosted “Celebrate Life – Part 2″ along with American Transplant Foundation at Denver’s Celtic Tavern. The event raised funds for American Transplant Foundation’s Patient Assistance Program and spread the word about living organ donation.
Last year, Danny and Laura both tested as kidney donors for their coworker, Ed. Danny was the better biological match, and in September, 2011, he gave his kidney to Ed, enabling him to avoid dialysis and early retirement. Laura remained determined to give the Gift of Life, and in January, 2011, she became an anonymous donor, giving her kidney to a stranger.
Danny’s friends organized the first “Celebrate Life” party last year to raise funds to cover his time away from work after the surgery. Seeing how much the financial assistance helped, Danny and Laura turned things around and organized “Celebrate Life – Part 2″ to raise funds to help other transplant patients.
Attendees were treated to bagpipe music, world-class Irish step dancing, and fantastic raffle prize drawings. Click here to watch the Channel 31 coverage of the event.
Thank you so much to everyone who attended. We look forward to next year’s “Celebrate Life – Part 3!”
Click here for the Press Release.
American Transplant Foundation Mixer at Pizza Republica
Posted on 21. Sep, 2011 in Events, Past Events, Website Archive
American Transplant Foundation held its first ever mixer at Denver’s Pizza Republica on September 19th. The casual social event was an opportunity for supporters of all of the foundation’s programs and other members of the local transplant community to meet, share their stories, and enter to win raffle prizes. The list of attendees included ten who are living organ donors or transplant recipients!
In addition to dinner and discussions, guests signed a giant ‘Thank You’ card to two living kidney donors. This card will be presented at a later event to honor them for each giving the Gift of Life.
Also in attendance were transplant center coordinators, nurses, social workers, and doctors; American Transplant Foundation Board Members; Team Transplant cycling team members; Transplant Leadership Council (TLC) Founding Members; and several outstanding volunteers — thank you so much to Chris, Alison, Jill, and Anne for making the event a success!
One of the honored guests, a college student and heart transplant recipient, made this unforgettable statement:
“Sometimes, I feel like I’m in my 60s as I always think and talk about insurance, coverage, meds. What a relief it is to be at an event where I can just have fun and meet people who went through similar experiences and see how happy, outgoing, and welcoming they are.”
We thank everyone who attended and are grateful for all donations that were made. Please consider attending our next social event on October 2nd which will benefit our Patient Assistance Program.
Join us at Pizza Republica on Sept. 19!
Posted on 02. Sep, 2011 in Announcements, Community Calendar, Events, Website Archive
Eat delicious pizza. Support a lifesaving mission. Come join American Transplant Foundation at Pizza Republica on Monday, September 19th!
This casual event will be an opportunity to meet living organ donors, transplant recipients, and other amazing people involved in all of American Transplant Foundation’s programs. You can learn about the Foundation and the Gift of Life while you dine!
There will also be the opportunity to win 2 Club Level Rockies Game Tickets.
15% of all sales for the night will benefit American Transplant Foundation’s lifesaving mission to increase organ and tissue donation. We will also use the event to honor true heroes amongst us – living organ donors. There is no better excuse to eat lots of pizza!
Stop by any time from 5:00 until 10:00 p.m. Pizza Republica is located in the Denver Tech Center neighborhood.
Click here to see the event flyer.
We hope to see you there!
Transplant Leadership Council Founding Members Reception
Posted on 18. Aug, 2011 in Events, Past Events, Photos, Transplant Leadership Council, Website Archive
The Transplant Leadership Council (TLC) young professionals group gathered on August 10th for its first Founding Members Reception. The event was hosted by American Transplant Foundation’s founder Steve Farber and his wife, Cindy, at their beautiful Denver residence. The founding members took the opportunity to network, discuss plans to meet their goals, and celebrate the Council’s early successes in raising money to directly aid transplant patients in need. (100% of the Council’s funds raised go to grants for American Transplant Foundation’s Patient Assistance Program.)
Founding Co-Chairs Brad Farber and Susan Fakharzadeh and Volunteer Committee Chairs Matt Weiss and Jeanni Barnthouse all spoke. Steve Farber gave the opening remarks.
Since the Transplant Leadership Council’s Kickoff at the Jet Hotel in late June, under Brad and Susan’s energetic leadership, the group has grown to 27 Founding Members. TLC is a unique young professionals organization in which Members review all grant applications and decide exactly how their financial gifts are used to directly aid transplant patients. American Transplant Foundation is thrilled to have these talented people dedicated to supporting our lifesaving mission!
Now is the perfect time to get involved as we finalize our volunteer committees. Learn more about the Transplant Leadership Council and how you can join this young professionals group.
DaVita Kidney Rock
Posted on 08. Aug, 2011 in Community Calendar, Past Events
American Transplant Foundation was proud to sponsor the DaVita Kidney Rock 5K on August 6, 2011. Volunteers Anne and Kevin staffed our booth in the Kidney Health Zone to educate attendees about kidney transplantation as a treatment for renal failure and to encourage everyone to register as an organ and tissue donor.
Currently, more than 89,000 of the 111,000 people waiting for transplants are waiting for kidney transplants. One in six Americans has chronic kidney disease (CKD), which can lead to end stage renal failure requiring dialysis or transplant.
The DaVita Kidney Rock was a great event with music, free kidney screenings provides by the Kidney TRUST, trivia, prizes, and more. Thanks to everyone who came out to raise awareness for kidney disease and kidney failure and to show support for patients facing CKD.
Volunteer Party: A small token of appreciation
Posted on 26. Jul, 2011 in Past Events, Photos, Team Transplant, Volunteering
On July 19th, we invited Team Transplant volunteers to a special get together at Rack and Rye Gastropub to thank them for dedicating their time to make the 2011 event such a success. The value of their 150 volunteer hours was worth more than $3,200 to the Foundation! Special thanks to Paul Piciocchi and Rack and Rye for hosting us at their wonderful restaurant.
12th Annual Donor Dash
Posted on 18. Jul, 2011 in Community Calendar, Events, Past Events
We had a great time sponsoring and participating in our partner Donor Alliance’s Donor Dash on July 17th in Denver! The Donor Dash is a 5K run/walk to honor the lives of organ and tissue donors, celebrate the lives of organ and tissue recipients and recognize those who continue to wait for a lifesaving transplant. More than 20 people represented the Foundation as part of our team at this event including several transplant recipients and living donors.
Congratulations to Donor Alliance for hosting the largest Donor Dash ever with more than 4,000 race participants!
