6,000 Southlanders to Join Sixth Annual Donate Life Run/Walk on April 26 at Cal State Fullerton

LOS ANGELES, April 22 A wide and diverse range oforganizations will join and support more than 6,000 Southern Californians --including nearly 3,000 donor family members -- at the sixth annual Donate LifeRun/Walk at Cal State Fullerton on April 26 from 7:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.The non-competitive 5K run/walk and 1K fitness run draws participants fromSanta Barbara and Bakersfield to Riverside and San Diego to inspire enrollmentin the statewide Donate Life California Organ and Tissue Donor Registry.

The Donate Life Run/Walk, the largest Donate Life-themed event in thenation, has grown dramatically each year since its founding in 2003. The eventis supported by a wide range of corporate, civic, community and healthcareorganizations including American Red Cross, Bosley Hair Restoration,Cedars-Sinai Comprehensive Transplant Center, Fullerton School District,Orange County Sheriff's Academy, St. Joseph Hospital Kidney TransplantProgram, Vons and Washington Mutual.

"Every April, as we mark National Donate Life Month, it is a joy to seethe growth of this event mirror the public's embrace of organ and tissuedonation in Southern California," stated Tom Mone, executive vice presidentand chief executive officer of OneLegacy, the non-profit organ and tissuerecovery agency serving the greater Los Angeles area. "The Donate LifeRun/Walk honors donors and their families, celebrates the gift of life, andinspires Californians to save lives by signing up on the Donate LifeCalifornia Registry."

Proceeds from the event will benefit campaigns to spur enrollment in theDonate Life California Organ & Tissue Donor Registry, which will haveregistered three million donors by the end of April.

"The Donate Life California Registry is an essential tool in our quest toend deaths on the national organ transplant waiting list," said Bryan Stewart,president of Donate Life California. "Signing up ensures your decision todonate is honored and relieves your family of the responsibility of makingsuch an important decision at a difficult time."

More than 100 teams of walkers inspired by organ and tissue donors, organrecipients, and transplant candidates form the heart of the Donate LifeRun/Walk experience. Among them are:

The Donate Life Run/Walk was conceived by event chairmen Kathleen andCraig Hostert of Fullerton. Kathleen, a former Fullerton elementary schoolteacher, donated a kidney to her husband Craig nine years ago.

"This has truly been an incredible journey," said the Hosterts. "We are soproud of how the Donate Life Run/Walk has grown each year. We are deeplytouched by the families who have found the Run/Walk to be a meaningful placefor their family reunion keeping the memory of their loved one alive."

Opening ceremonies begin at 8:15 a.m., followed by brief remarks fromseveral speakers including Fullerton Mayor Sharon Quirk; Miryam Mora,executive director, Donate Life California Registry; and two donor families.At approximately 8:45 a.m., eight baskets of doves will be released by organrecipients and donor families. The Run/Walk will also feature a "Circle ofLife" garden with 150 photograph-bearing signs honoring donors and recipients.

A post-race Family Festival will feature 75 vendors, carnival rides, radiostation Movin' 93.9 and three performances of a BMX Professional Bike Showfeaturing five extreme sports stunt riders. A snowboard signed by Olympicmedalist snowboarder Chris Klug will be given away in an opportunity drawingat the end of the day. The American Red Cross and National Bone MarrowFoundation will hold on-site blood and bone marrow drives.

The public is invited to attend the Family Festival at no charge. Coststo participate in the Run/Walk are $30 for runners and walkers, $20 forindividual living donor/recipient, $20 per person for family registration (4or more only), or $20 per person for Team Regis