2008 DEDICATION TO SHAWN, VALERIA AND BEN

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 1997-1998 Relays were dedicated to three-year-old Delaney Corbitt who waited for a kidney. The 1999-2000 Relays were dedicated to Paul McVetty who waited in vain four years for a liver. The 2001-2004 Relays honored Nicholas Green who donated organs to seven Italians. The 2005-2006 Relays celebrated Katalina Thang who received a new heart and lungs on September 6, 2006. The 2007-2008 Relays are dedicated to Shawn Stockwell who waits for a new heart.

SHAWN'S BODY RUNS A MARATHON DAILY TO SURVIVE
When he was eight-days-old, Shawn Stockwell (born August 10, 1998) of Eagle River, AK had surgery for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. After five additional heart surgeries, Shawn and his family moved to Palo Alto in April 2006 to wait for a heart donor. Shawn loves video games and his job filling soda machines at the Ronald McDonald House. Shawn also loves the Beach Boardwalk where he will cheer Relay runners and walkers helping him find a new heart.

VALERIA STRUGGLED TO SURVIVE
When she was five-days-old, Valeria Sanchez (born September 6, 2003) of Chico, CA developed heart failure requiring a breathing machine. While Valeria received intensive care, Team Dean Karnazes ran 226 miles solo during The Relay 2003 dedicated to finding the tiny donor needed to save her. Three weeks after Dean's run, Valeria received a new heart from a three-day-old infant. With hugs and thanks, four-year-old Valeria will greet Dean at The Relay finish.

BEN RUNS CODE THREE
When he was two, Ben Thornton (born October 5, 2002) of Santa Rosa, CA , complained of back pain and had difficulty walking up hills. Doctors were baffled for months until a chest x-ray in March 2006 showed an enlarged heart. Ben had restrictive cardiomyopathy and suffered a cardiac arrest in May 2006 requiring ECMO for seven days. A Berlin Heart kept Ben alive until August 3, 2006, when he received a heart transplant. In 2007, Ben crossed The Relay finish with team 911 We Run Code Three.

ORU RELAYS THE MESSAGE BY GENERATING $25 MILLION IN PUBLICITY
promoting donation through The Relay, San Francisco Marathon, San Jose Rock n Roll Half Marathon and California International Marathon. From 1997-2007, the ORU Kiddie Pede (ages 1-15) ran to victory in the Bay to Breakers.

DISCUSS YOUR PERSONAL WISHES REGARDING ORGAN DONATION WITH YOUR FAMILY
Solicit online donations, seek per mile pledges and request tax deductible matching funds from your employer for Organs 'R' Us, 501 (c) (3) Tax ID 94-3333306. Raise $7,200 (or donate an organ!) to enter a free team.

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