2001 DEDICATION TO NICHOLAS GREEN

Through Organs ‘R’ Us, The Relay promotes donation. The transfer of the baton from runner to runner symbolizes the transfer of an organ from donor to recipient. The 1997 and 1998 Relays were dedicated to three-year-old Delaney Corbitt who waited since birth for a kidney transplant. The 1999 and 2000 Relays were dedicated to Paul McVetty who waited in vain four years for a liver transplant. The 2001 Relay is dedicated to the memory of Nicholas Green.

NICHOLAS' STORY
On September 29, 1994, Reg and Maggie Green of Sonoma County were vacationing when attacked on a highway in Southern Italy. As Reg tried to outrun masked gunmen, seven- year-old Nicholas was shot while asleep in the back of the car. Reg and Maggie donated Nicholas' organs to seven Italians as documented in Reg's book, "The Nicholas Effect" and the CBS movie “Nicholas’ Gift” staring Jamie Lee Curtis.

THE NICHOLAS EFFECT
As the Green’s watched ice coolers loaded into ambulances, they had no idea what would result from their boy’s gift to the world. As all mourned, the Green’s received a gold medal from Italy’s President and appeared on television educating nations on organ donation.

“With more than 78,000 Americans, many of them children, waiting for organs, this race, on the seventh anniversary of Nicholas' death, will serve as an international reminder about the importance of donated organs," explains Reg Green. "Since half of the commitments to donate organs are rescinded by family members when a potential donor dies, family discussions are necessary to solve this acute shortage."

ORGANS 'R' US RELAYS
the message by generating $7 million in publicity promoting donation through athletics. From 1997 - 2001, Captain Kelly Olmo (age 14) led the Channel 5 Organs ‘R’ Us Kiddie Pede to victory in the Bay to Breakers and other events.

SAVE A LIFE
by discussing organ donation with your family. Seek per mile pledges and ask your company to match your entry fee with a tax deductible donation to Organs ‘R’ Us.

WE REMEMBER NICHOLAS
and friends that have passed during the year. Paul McVetty, age 47, volunteered at every Relay while waiting four years for a liver transplant. Ironically eight months after Paul’s death, his sister donated her liver following a fatal stroke. Tina Pelley, 48, was a Relay team captain and Volunteer Director. Bob Pusey, 64, lung and kidney recipient and Events Director for the Calistoga Mineral Water Company, worked to make The Relay one of Calistoga’s largest parties. On the four month anniversary of the death of Keegan Wahler, 17, lung recipient and Relay volunteer, Keegan’s family will release balloons at the race finish.

AND WE REMEMBER...
the 16 Americans who die everyday waiting for organs.