2006 DEDICATION TO KATALINA, DEMI AND GILDA

THROUGH ORGANS 'R' US ("ORU"), 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. The 1999 and 2000 Relays were dedicated to Paul McVetty who waited in vain four years for a liver. The 2001, 2002 and 2004 Relays were dedicated to Nicholas Green who donated organs to seven Italians. The 2005 and 2006 Relays are dedicated to Katalina Thang of San Jose.

KATALINA WAITS FOR A HEART LUNG DONOR
Although you would never know it from her smile, two-year-old Katalina Thang (born January 5, 2004) has an unhappy heart. After enduring three heart surgeries, doctors said in September 2004 that Katalina would not survive six months without a transplant. After "Team Dean" Karnazes dedicated his solo 350-mile run during The Relay in October 2005 to her, Katalina was prepped to receive new organs but the lungs were found to be damaged. Katalina still waits for the tiny donor that can save her.

DEMI'S UGLY DUCKLING BECOMES A SWAN
In July 2005, 17-year-old Demi Rockas of Fairfax, CA was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis and hospitalized. During weeks of poking and prodding, Demi never complained. On August 19, Demi's black, bumpy liver was replaced. Surgeons described Demi's diseased liver as one of the ugliest they had ever seen. Demi is training to run The Relay 2006 on team Aromatic Blend.

GILDA'S BODY RAN A MARATHON DAILY TO SURVIVE
During four years of dialysis, Gilda Vallente of Daly City, CA and her husband, Raaj Gopal, continued working at Home Depot. On February 5, 2006, Gilda received two kidneys from a baby. To promote organ donation, Raaj walked 128 miles solo (31 hrs. 5 min.) in The Relay Walk 2005. Team "One for 128" will compete in The Relay Walk 2006.

ORU RELAYS THE MESSAGE BY GENERATING $25 MILLION IN PUBLICITY
promoting donation through the Mercury News 10K, the San Francisco Marathon and The Relay. From 1997-2005, the ORU Kiddie Pede (ages 1-15) ran to victory in the Bay to Breakers.

DISCUSS ORGAN DONATION WITH YOUR FAMILY
Seek per-mile pledges and ask your employer to match your entry fee with a tax-deductible donation to Organs ‘R’ Us, 501 (c) (3) Tax ID 94-3333306. Raise $6,000 (or donate an organ!) to enter a free team. Raise $1,000 in the ORU "Learn to Run, Save a Life" program.

HELP SAVE 18 AMERICANS WHO DIE EVERYDAY WAITING FOR ORGANS
In the long run, organ donation saves lives.