Sound the trumpet. . .
The Olympics may be over, but many of us are still buzzing about our favorite snowboarder, Chris Klug, three time Olympian and first transplant recipient to participate in the Olympics. Chris may have come in 7th in this year’s Mens Parallel Giant Slalom, but he is number 1 in spreading the news about the positive impact of organ donation.
While in B.C., Chris took some time from his training to visit B.C. Transplant, a local organ donor organization, and made sure to promote organ donation as part of his role in the spotlight.
When he was on the waiting list for a new liver, Klug made a commitment that if he received a second chance, he would use it to promote organ donation. He devotes a lot of time to educating people about organ donation, and he set up a charitable foundation, the Chris Klug Foundation (CKF), in 2004 as well as his “Donor Dudes” program which educates high school and college aged kids about the importance of organ and tissue donation, and increases the number of people who are taking action
“I’m here today because of it, and the impact one donor can have is so significant,” he said. “The way I look at it is why not help someone else if I’m not here anymore?”
Klug also said,
“I think it’s a really great opportunity for me to really trumpet that cause. (Being here) certainly highlights the heroes organ donors are and hopefully encourages people to consider it, know the facts and share that decision with their family.”
Here’s to all of our heroes – the organ donors – who gave of themselves to bring life to someone else!
Now let’s continue to spread the word!