Organ Transplant Recipient to be Honored at Evansville 5K

July 10, 2018

evansville 5k

EVANSVILLE, IN – On Saturday, July 14, 2018, Evansville area residents will come together to raise funds and awareness around organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation at the third annual Indiana Donor Network Foundation 5K race. This year, the event will honor Heather Cook, an admission counselor at the University of Evansville, who received a lifesaving intestine transplant. Heather told Indiana Donor Network, “Since transplant, I do live each day to the fullest and I don’t take a single day for granted…My donor has given me so much and I live each day for two people now.” Heather will deliver brief remarks to participants prior to the race about the importance of donation.

There are currently over 115,000 men, women and children in the US awaiting a lifesaving organ transplant and about 1,400 patients waiting in Indiana. Nationally, on average, 22 patients die each day because the organ they needed did not become available in time.

Last year, participants in Indiana Donor Network Foundation 5K races raised over $73,000 for the Foundation, which supports donor families and transplant recipients.

Kellie Hanner, Indiana Donor Network president and chief executive officer, said, “Our Evansville 5K is an important event to raise awareness around donation and transplantation and to raise funds for donor families and transplant recipients. People from all walks of life in the Evansville community come to this race to celebrate the gift of life.”

Participants can register at IndianaDonorNetwork.org/events through Friday, July 13, or onsite at the event. Members of the media are encouraged to attend. Please contact Mark Back at mback@indonornetwork.org for additional information, photos or interview requests.

Who: Heather Cook (transplant recipient) and Indiana Donor Network

What: Indiana Donor Network Foundation Evansville 5K

When: July 14, 2018 at 9:00 am

Where: Friedman Park, 2700 Park Boulevard, Newburgh, IN

Agenda: 8:00 am – Registration opens

9:00 am – Race begins

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About Indiana Donor Network

As a leading organ recovery organization, Indiana Donor Network is committed to saving lives through organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation. Our team of over 150 dedicated professionals is a vital link between donors and their families and the 115,000 men, women and children currently awaiting a life-saving organ transplant. We champion the cause through education, support donor families in their time of need and work closely with Indiana hospitals, coroners and funeral directors to coordinate the donation process. For more information or to register your decision to donate, please visit IndianaDonorNetwork.org.

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