Marathon of Marathons to Save Lives
On August 2nd 1996, I received my heart transplant. On Nov 2nd 1997, my first marathon became the culmination of a dream. Over the past decade, my life has been devoted to saving lives, just as mine was, by an organ donation.
Yesterday, eighteen lives came to an end because an organ transplant was not available, which translates into over 6,000 deaths a year. Every 12 minutes another transplant applicants name is added to the waiting list. Furthermore, there are more than 96,000 individuals awaiting a life saving transplant. Educating the public is the key to saving lives. As an evangelist for organ donation I have spent the past decade doing just that. A recent report from the New York Organ Donor Network, notes a dramatic rise in the number of donors during 2006. “We attribute this to various educational programs and initiatives for health care professionals and the general public”.
I have participated in several videos to promote organ donation they include: “How Do You Say Thank You,” produced by the National Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP) and The Nicholas Green Foundation: Gift of Life: “What African Americans Need to Know About Organ Donation” by The Links Incorporated, Metro Manhattan Chapter and “Have A Heart” a short film produced by students during the summer of 2006. This film was viewed at The Tribeca Film Institute (see http://www.listenup.org/screeningroom/index.php?view=3780c1ce8e46de49c3ffa2c4121141bb)
After having completed 8 marathons since my heart transplant, in 2006, I made the decision to bring the message of “The Gift of Life” by completing marathons in all 50 states. My journey began on March 19, 2006, in
Los Angeles, California . Since the Los Angeles marathon, I completed seven additional marathons in seven states, Indiana, California, Alaska, Ohio, New York, Louisiana in 2006 and Florida in January of 2007.
To continue toward my goal, 43 states and 43 marathons are planned. In 2007 my goal was eight marathons (Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Oregon, Newport, Rhode Island and Las Vegas).To date, NINE marathons, Oklahoma, North and South Dakota, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Oregon, Rhode Island, Kansas, and Las Vegas have been completed. To complete this leg of the journey, Four Thousand Five Hundred Dollars is budgeted. Would you consider sending a year-end contribution to help me reach my fundraising goal and help me save lives? If you support me through a donation to the Achilles Track Club and I will be able to continue my marathon of marathons.
The Achilles Track Club is a 501(c)3 Organization and your contributions are fully tax deductible. You can donate through this page, or to donate by check, please send it to Achilles Track Club, 42 West 38th Street, New York, NY 10019 and note "50 States" in the memo field. For more information about Achilles Track Club you can visit http://www.achillestrackclub.org. Your gift will help save lives and that life could be someone you love.
I hope you will support me in my efforts to bring the ‘gift of life’ to others.
From my heart to yours
Donald Arthur