NORTHBROOK, Ill. and
ASPEN, Colo., June 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chris Klug
Foundation (CKF) is pleased to announce the winners of the second
annual Bounce Back Award, presented by Astellas. The award goes to
two transplant recipients who exhibit a great post-transplant
quality of life. Winners were chosen from more than 80 incredible
nominations from 23 states. CKF staff and board members selected
the two winners.
"Each of the winners has an important story to tell. They are an
example for others," said Walt
Johnston, vice president of Marketing at Astellas.
"Astellas' partnership with the Chris Klug Foundation is a way to
recognize patients who fully embrace their post-transplant lives
and to highlight the possibilities post-transplant life can bring.
I am confident that the winners will both inspire and give hope to
other transplant recipients."
The winners and one guest each will win a trip to Aspen, CO, for the Chris Klug Foundation's
10th annual Aspen Summit for Life weekend Dec. 4-5, 2015. CKF will host the winners in
Aspen and provide flights, lodging
and tickets to all Summit for Life weekend events. On Dec. 5, the Bounce Back Award will be presented
on top of Aspen Mountain in front of
500 racers and CKF supporters.
The Winners
Marilyn Pongonis, director of communications at Donate Life Ohio,
nominated winner Edward
Drake, of Columbus,
Ohio. "While waiting for a kidney transplant, Edward was
inspired to start an organization: Youth Needing Organ and Tissue
Transplants (YNOTT)," said Pongonis. "The YNOTT foundation is
dedicated to raising awareness, educating youth on healthy living
habits, and assisting young transplant recipients emotionally and
financially." Edward is dedicated to raising awareness,
particularly in the African American community. He also to
maintains a healthy and active lifestyle and has participated in
the Transplant Games of America in track and field.
Winner Lea Sobieraski, of
Lockport, New York, was diagnosed
with Wilson's disease at 20 years old. She had been in great health
and was the captain of the SUNY Geneseo
women's basketball team. Her health deteriorated so quickly that
she was put at the top of the transplant list and had a lifesaving
liver transplant just four months after her diagnosis. Post
transplant, Lea reenrolled in college and continues to play on the
women's basketball team. The team made it to the NCAA Sweet 16
Division III Championship, and Lea was named to the NCAA's Good
Works Team. This spring, Lea registered more than 50 organ donors
on her campus, and will also give the commencement speech at a
local high school.
"We couldn't be more excited to meet Edward and Lea this winter
in Aspen," said CKF executive
director, Beth Slater. "They have
both done so much to encourage organ donation in their communities,
and we look forward to honoring them in front of 500 CKF supporters
at the 10th annual Aspen Summit for Life, presented by
Astellas."
Becoming a registered organ and tissue donor is a way to have a
lasting legacy, and it's as simple as going to
www.chrisklugfoundation.org to sign up. For more information
on this event or on the Chris Klug Foundation, please contact
Beth Slater at (970) 618-7120.
About Astellas Transplant
For more than 20 years,
Astellas has supported the transplant community. And the Company
continues to look for new ways to help transplant patients. That's
why we created Astellas Cares — a program that offers resources,
guidance, and personal support for those on the transplant journey.
Visit Astellas Cares at
https://www.astellascares.com/transplant.
About Astellas
Astellas is a pharmaceutical company
dedicated to improving the health of people around the world
through provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceuticals. For
more information on Astellas, please visit our website
at www.astellas.us. Follow us on Twitter
at www.twitter.com/AstellasUS. Visit our Facebook page
at https://www.facebook.com/AstellasUS.
About The Chris Klug Foundation
Founded in 2003, The
Chris Klug Foundation advocates for organ and tissue donation and
inspires those touched by transplantation. Chris Klug was diagnosed with primary sclerosing
cholangitis, a rare disease for which the only cure is a liver
transplant. He received a liver transplant and went on to win a
bronze medal in the 2002 Winter Olympics, a mere 18 months post
transplant. Soon thereafter, Chris started the Chris Klug
Foundation. Learn more about the foundation at
www.chrisklugfoundation.org
Logo -
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140416/84970
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150401/196069LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/astellas-and-the-chris-klug-foundation-announce-winners-of-the-2015-bounce-back-award-300094261.html
SOURCE Astellas