2013 Transplant Hero Awards

The Event

• The inaugural Transplant Hero Awards will take place on Thursday, September 26^th at the Pinnacle Club at Grand Hyatt Denver.

• Format: From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., guests will enjoy a cocktail reception with a sunset toast to life, followed by a dinner and an inspired, yet short, awards ceremony. From 8:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. guests will enjoy the after-party featuring NYC-based celebrity DJ.

• Event Co-Chairs: Katie and Adam Agron, Sunny and Norm Brownstein, Julie and Brent Farber, Karly and Brad Farber, Faye and Steve Demby, Arlene and Barry Hirschfeld, Debbie and Jimm Lustig, David McReynolds, Becky and Chuck Morris, Shelly and Rick Sapkin, Sally and Dan Scherer, James Sullivan.

• Purpose: the event will advance the American Transplant Foundation’s mission to save lives through transplantation and living donation. Specifically, we will be honoring heroes who have created a lasting and lifesaving impact on the transplant community. The recipients of our inaugural Transplant Hero Awards are Steve Farber (kidney transplant recipient) and his son, Gregg Farber (living kidney donor). Other award categories include: Patient Advocate Award (Medical Professional) and Gift of Life Award (Living Organ Donor).

• Presented by:

History of the American Transplant Foundation

Nine years ago, Steve Farber had a kidney transplant.  Thanks to a lifesaving gift from his eldest son, Gregg, Steve has been able to continue his extraordinary life. As a way to help others who are waiting for a transplant, one year later, Steve founded the American Transplant Foundation.

The mission of the American Transplant Foundation is to save lives by reducing the growing list of women, men, and children who are waiting for a transplant.

Since its founding, the Foundation has become the only non-profit in the country that provides financial assistance to the most vulnerable transplant patients and living donors by reimbursing them for lost wages after the surgery, and providing access to lifesaving medications. Through its Patient Assistance Program, ATF supports patients in 28 states with a specific focus on Colorado.

Often, people who earn minimum wage don’t have any vacation time. They are faced with a tough choice – to save a life of a family member/friend by donating a kidney and struggle financially (if someone’s work involves physical labor, expected recovery is 4 -6 weeks) or to watch their loved one become tied on being on dialysis. ATF supports these people by covering their mortgage/rent for one month after the surgery.

The American Transplant Foundation is a standalone 501 (c) (3) nonprofit and is not a part of any other national organization. The Federal Tax Identification Number for the American Transplant Foundation is 02-0744032.