1998 DEDICATION TO DELANEY CORBITT

As we face the physical and mental challenges of running 193 miles, we must not take for granted our health, our ability to train and our achievement of peak performance. The Relay in 1997 was dedicated to Delaney Corbitt who's body ran a marathon daily just to survive. As a 2-year-old waiting for a kidney transplant, Delaney represented 58,000 men, women and children in the US waiting for life saving organ donations. These transplant candidates have endurance training that many athletes do not understand because they train on a daily basis to face a life threatening illness. To share the happy ending to her struggle, The Relay in 1998 is rededicated to Delaney and to the memory of Alexandria, Delaney's kidney donor.

DELANEY'S STORY
Before birth, a blood clot formed adjacent to one of Delaney's kidneys, causing permanent damage. After birth, the blood clot increased in size, damaging her second kidney. Delaney faced each day with only one kidney functioning at 10% of normal. She had dialysis once; a treatment involving circulating her blood through a machine that filtered substances her kidneys could no longer remove. Although she tired easily due to the build up of waste products in her blood, Delaney went about her daily activities with a glowing smile.

ALEXANDRIA, DELANEY'S DONOR
While riding her bicycle on August 28, 1997, seven-year-old Alexandria was hit by a car and fatally injured in front of her house. In their grief, Alexandria's family brought life from tragedy and donated one of Alexandria's kidneys to Delaney. Alexandria's family understood the importance of organ donation because Alexandria's grandfather had received a kidney transplant seven years ago. Alexandria's parents knew that their daughter's life could not be saved, but donating her organs would save Delaney and other children.

ORGANS 'R' US
Demonstrating that transplantation saves lives, transplant recipients showcased their fitness by completing The 1997 Relay in 31 hours with Delaney's family. While runners crossed The Relay finish on September 20, 1997, President Clinton signed a Relay shirt for Delaney at Stanford Hospital. On March 19, 1998, Delaney's sister, Alexandria Corbitt was born and named after the special child who donated her kidney to Delaney.

IN 1998
Delaney is a healthy 3-year-old and the youngest member of the Channel 5, Organs 'R' Us Kiddie Pede which participated in the centipede division of the 1998 Bay to Breakers. Fourteen transplant recipients (ages 3 - 15) sent a powerful message about the critical shortage of organ donors. Led by Kiddie Pede Captain Kelly Olmo (age 11), who received a liver transplant at age two, the children shouted the Organs 'R' Us chant along the way and sang the "Save a Life" song at the costume contest.

Join The Relay in partnership with Organs 'R' Us and Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO) based in Washington DC, promoting awareness about the importance of organ donation. Sadly, ten people will die today waiting for a donor. During your run from Calistoga to Santa Cruz, the passage of the baton from runner to runner will symbolize the transfer and sharing of an organ from donor to recipient. Consider supporting organ donation and communicate your wishes to your family. Save a life with the gift of life.

HAT'S OFF TO PAUL MCVETTY
As a committed volunteer and an inspiration for all, we honor 44-year-old transplant candidate Paul McVetty. After developing extreme lethargy in 1992, Paul was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. Over the next four years, the virus destroyed Paul's liver. Paul lives in Marin with his wife, Minda while waiting for the only treatment available, a liver transplant.

More than 5 million Americans are infected with Hepatitis C. Since the virus can incubate for 25 years, it is likely that Paul became infected while using intravenous drugs many years ago. In addition to being drug free for 21 years, Paul works with others struggling to lead healthy lives. Paul has spoken on a regular basis to teenagers in drug rehabilitation programs, supported AIDS patients through the Shanti Project, and worked as a counselor at drug rehabilitation facilities in San Francisco and Marin.

As a member of Organs 'R' Us, Paul has participated in the 1997 and 1998 Bay to Breakers, the Christmas Relays and The Relay in 1997 promoting awareness about the shortage of donated organs. "I want to give now to the community so that I feel good about receiving when someone donates their liver to me," Paul explains with a glowing smile. Paul is a dedicated Relay volunteer, attending meetings even if he is not feeling well.

Please say hello to Paul and Minda at The Relay Finish. Paul is quick to offer kind words and a big hug. Talking with Paul will change your life. Deciding to be an organ donor could save many lives. The Relay is working hard to help shorten the time that Paul and others must wait for organ transplants. For inspiring us, teaching us, entertaining us and working with us, our hats are off to you, Paul.