On Saturday, Aug. 5, transplant recipients, donor family members, health care professionals and donation advocates will gather at Mackenzie Park to run for the nearly 11,000 Texans waiting for a second chance during the Donate Life Texas 2nd Chance Run.
LifeGift, the local organ and tissue donation agency and South Plains Kidney Foundation are hosting the event, which is new to the Lubbock fun run circuit.
Participants will run in memory of an organ/tissue donor, in honor of a transplant recipient or as sign of support for an individual waiting for a second chance. Transplant recipients and living donors also will participate.
The race, which began 15 years ago, has its roots in Fort Worth. In 2015, LifeGift brought the race to Houston and is now bringing it to Lubbock to bring more hope to the communities it serves.
“Since 2003, this fun run has symbolized hope for thousands of men, women and children who wait for lifesaving organ and tissue transplants in the Fort Worth area,” said Kevin Myer, president and CEO of LifeGift. “We are looking forward to expanding our reach, bringing this fun and meaningful event to transplant recipients, donor families, living donors, volunteers, staff and supporters in the greater Lubbock community.”
The 5K portion of the race will begin at 8 a.m., followed by the 1 mile walk through Mackenzie Park. The cost to register is $30 for an adult and $15 for a youth. To register and for more information, visit www.2ndchancerun.org.
About LifeGift
Established in 1987 and now in its 30th year, LifeGift is a nonprofit 501 (c)3 organization that offers hope to individuals needing transplants in Southeast, North and West Texas. A founding member of Donate Life Texas, the organization that runs the organ, eye and tissue donor registry and a member institution of the world-renown Texas Medical Center, LifeGift services 10 transplant centers and 200 donor hospitals. It is accredited by the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) and the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB). For more information, visit www.lifegift.org, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram.
About the South Plains Kidney Foundation
The South Plains Kidney Foundation (SPKF) is committed to the prevention of kidney disease, improving the health and well-being of patients and families affected by kidney disease, providing resources to patients and the professionals who work with them, and increasing awareness of organ donation. The SPKF provides financial help to patients in need. Since October 2013, the organization has been able to help patients with $25,000 worth of assistance annually. For more information about SPKF, visit www.southplainskidney.com.
(News release from the South Plans Kidney Foundation)
