2002 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. The 2001 and 2002 Relays
are dedicated to the memory of Nicholas Green.
WE REMEMBER NICHOLAS
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” starring 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 80,000 Americans, many of them children, waiting for
organs, this race, will serve as a 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rescinded by family members when a potential donor dies, family discussions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 $15 million in publicity promoting donation through
athletics. From 1997 - 2001, Captain Kelly Olmo (age 14) led the Organs ‘R’ Us
Kiddie Pede to victory in the Bay to Breakers and other events.
CONNOR (AGE 3) INSPIRES
returning Sacramento runners. "Connor received a liver when he was four
months and represents 2,500 children waiting for organs," explains Tim
Cheney, Connor's father and captain of "Connor's Feet."
WILMER WAITS (UPDATE: WILMER
RECEIVED A KIDNEY ON SEPT. 25, 2002)
and will not run with the San Francisco Frontrunners team which he captains.
"I ran the New York Marathon in 1999, but now I train daily to face a life
threatening illness," explains Wilmer. The Frontrunners are raising money to bring
Wilmer's brother from Venezuela to donate a kidney.
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. Encourage beginners to raise $1,000 in the Organs 'R' Us "Learn to
Run, Save a Life" training program.
AND WE REMEMBER...
the 16 Americans who die everyday waiting for organs.
