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Running to Save Lives On September 21st, I'll be running the Red Feather Trail Jamboree 50K, my third ultramarathon since becoming a double donor (kidney & 60% of my liver). I share to inspire others, as one can be a donor and continue to live a healthy, active lifestyle! The Problem: Every day, 16 people lose their lives while waiting for an organ that could come from a living donor. Even if every American registers as a deceased organ and tissue donor, there would still be a drastic shortage of organs available for transplantation. My Reaction: After learning about the problem in 2010, I felt compelled to act. I spent hours learning about living donation. While I didn't have a family member or friend directly in need, I learned that you can make a non-directed donation - meaning a transplant center can use your gift for the best match. In my case, my kidney donation turned into a donation chain, as 6 additional kidney transplants were possible. About 9 years later, I learned that a living donor can donate twice - becoming a double donor. So after a lot research, contacting multiple transplant centers, testing in two different states, I donated 60% of my liver in 2020 - despite COVID lockdowns and disruptions! Your Opportunity: Now that you are aware of the problem, you have several opportunities: 1. Give. Your financial gift saves lives. American Transplant Foundation doesn’t receive any government or corporate funds and relies on financial contributions to provide services to living donors, transplant recipients, and their loved ones. 2. Consider living donor. That's a big ask, but I promise that it is possible to live a healthy, active life after donation (even after two!). In fact, it was only after becoming a donor (and in my 40s) when I began to enjoy jogging and trail running. The Red Feather Trail 50K will be my 14th running event since becoming a donor, and my 3rd ultramarathon since becoming a double donor! 3. Spread the word. I humbly ask you share this fundraiser with your personal and professional networks. Thank you, and God Bless! Jay #AmericanTransplantFoundation #LivingDonation #LivingDonor #Fundraiser #TrailRunning #UltraMarathon #RedFeatherTrailJamboree #50k
