Dear friends of Organs 'R' Us ("ORU"),

Please join ORU promoting organ donation through athletics. Since 1996, ORU has generated $25 million of publicity for 96,000 Americans (including 2,500 children) waiting for organs. Through running and walking, ORU showcases our fitness proving that transplantation saves lives. To receive event updates, forward your email address to organs@TheRelay.com. Events are selected for maximum publicity and fun and include The Relay, The Relay Walk, Bay to Breakers, San Francisco Marathon, San Jose Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon and California International Marathon.

ORU Super Bowl Potluck 3-6 pm, Super Bowl Sunday, hosted by Doug and Sallee D'Anna. RSVP one week prior to dougdanna@rcn.com. Plan events, share stories, watch a little football.

The Relay is the "largest event in the world promoting organ donation." On Saturday and Sunday, run (199 miles, Calistoga to Santa Cruz), walk (128 miles, Marin to Santa Cruz) or volunteer during "California's Longest Party." 12-member team run through 36 cities or walk through 28 cities and across the Golden Gate Bridge. The transfer of the baton from runner to runner and walker to walker symbolizes the transfer of an organ from donor to recipient. Volunteer in the ORU booth during the start in Calistoga, the finish in Santa Cruz or along the way. Contact Captain Rita (ravrita@aol.com) to run on the ORU team. Beach Boardwalk ride tickets are provided to ORU children who RSVP two weeks prior to the race.

The 1997 and 1998 Relays were dedicated to three-year-old Delaney Corbitt who waited since birth for a kidney transplant. While runners crossed the finish, President Clinton signed a Relay shirt for Delaney at Stanford Hospital. The 1999 and 2000 Relays were dedicated to Paul McVetty who passed away in 2000 after waiting four years for a liver. Like Paul, 18 Americans die everyday waiting for transplants. The 2001, 2002 and 2004 Relays were dedicated to the memory of Nicholas Green who donated organs to seven Italians. Representing a grateful Italy, Maria Pia Bettina (received liver from Nicholas Green) attended the 2004 race with coverage by four television stations, including RAI from Italy, and 18 publications including USA Today, People Magazine and Readers Digest and discussed on David Letterman (March 16, 2005). The 2005-2007 Relays were dedicated to three-year-old Katalina Thang who waited two years for an organ donor. On September 4, 2006 Katalina received a heart and two lungs.

Bay to Breakers 7:30 am, Meet at Steiner and Grove in San Francisco; Children and adults are invited to walk 3 miles in the world's largest and wackiest footrace. In 1997, the San Francisco Examiner claimed the ORU Centipede was the "most unique group to run the Bay to Breakers in its 86-year history." Centipede members won tickets on Southwest Airlines for winning the Costume Contest. For 11 years, the ORU Kiddie Pede has had a blast following the giant eyeball and delivering the "Gift of Life" message to 80,000 athletes. In 2002, Miranda Ashland (age 8) told Channel 7 viewers about her liver transplant at 6 months. Molly Ashland counted 92 naked runners and told KGO Radio listeners "we don't need those organs!" Thanks to Angela Fang (BTB), Sue Muzzin (KGO Radio), Rita Comes (for heart balloons) and all participants for promoting the need for organ donors.


San Francisco Marathon 6 am, SF, Volunteer at the ORU booth, Fri., 11 am-6 pm or Sat., 9 am-6 pm during the Expo at Justin Herman Plaza or run or walk on Sun. through the streets of San Francisco. Raise money for ORU to receive a free entry and VIP lunch. In 1997, Audrey Cook led the first transplant recipient relay team 26.2 miles to victory. In 1999, Joe Gerigk (age 10) cheered ORU runners and spoke at the awards ceremony about his liver transplant. Thanks to Peter Nantell, Director.

Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon 8 am, San Jose, Volunteer at the ORU booth, Fri., 1-6 pm or Sat., 9 am-5 pm during the Expo at San Jose McEnery Convention Center or run or walk on Sun. through the streets of San Jose. Raise money for ORU to receive a free entry and VIP lunch. In 2006, the Monica family - Martin (kidney recipient), Emma (kidney donor), Marina (kidney recipient) and Jeff (kidney recipient) appeared on NBC to deliver the Organs 'R' Us message.

California International Marathon 7 am, Sacramento, Volunteer at the ORU booth, Fri., 3-7 pm or Sat., 9 am-6 pm during the Expo at the Sacramento Convention Center, 1400 J St., or run or walk on Sun. from Foslom to the State Capital. Raise money for ORU to receive a free entry and VIP lunch or dinner. Tim Cheney will run 26.2 miles for his son, Connor (age 7), who received a liver transplant as an infant. Run a 10K on the 4-person ORU Marathon Relay team or the 2.62 mile kids race. Thanks to John Mansoor, Director.

Transplant Christmas Party 1-4 pm, first Saturday in December at Packard Children's Hospital, 725 Welch Rd., Palo Alto. Bring a dish to share and $10 gifts for Santa to give to each of your children.

Christmas Relays 8-11 am, at Lake Merced, SF. Join Raaj Gopal and wife, Gilda Vallente (kidney recipient), Jodie Hang (heart recipient), Chris Domine (kidney recipient), Anabel Stenzel (lung recipient) and Isabel Stenzel Byrnes (lung recipient) on a 4-person relay team for a 4.5 mile loop around the lake. Don't forget your Santa hat!

Wishing you good health and chestnuts roasting on an open fire,

Organs 'R' Us

Thanks to our sponsors NBC 11 (Lance Lew), KGO Radio (Sue Muzzin), Bay to Breakers (Angela Fang), San Francisco Giants (Bertha Fajardo), Anomaly Design (Liz Scherle) and ColorTone Digital (Jim Connor).