in Jarronn's honor: Race to Donate 5K

if you've been reading my blog for awhile, you may recall me writing about my experience with the washington regional transplant community (wrtc). Jarronn was an organ and tissue donor, and after he died, knowing that his body gave "life" to other people was a bit of a comfort. in addition, the WRTC was a big support to me after his death and does the same for hundreds of other donor families. they assign a special representative to every family and send regular letters and pieces of literature related to managing loss and host various support groups. i kept a lot of their literature around the house for inspiration and comfort.

wrtc hosts an annual Race to Donate Life 5K, and i've created a team for anyone who wants to participate -- both as a way to honor Jarronn and to support a worthy cause.

participants in the 5K can choose to walk or run. i'm planning to run, because Jron always pushed me when it came to exercising. i'd love for you to be there! everyone is welcome to participate (really, i mean that), whether you knew Jarronn, me, or just happen to keep up with me here.

below are some of the key details:

• when: sunday, June 10, 2012 at 9:00 a.m.
 race day packet pickup/registration begins at 7:30 a.m.
• where: occoquan town hall (16 miles south of capital beltway) - 
314 mill street, 
historic occoquan, va 22125 
(take I-95 to exit 160.  merge onto VA-123 N/gordon blvd toward Occoquan/Lake Ridge.)
• 
cost: $30/adult, $5/child before june 8. after june 8, cost is $35/adult, $10/child

i created a team under the name 'Team Jarronn.' to register, use the link below!

register here

some have already asked how they can support this effort if they're unable to attend on june 10. one of the biggest ways is to become an organ donor if you aren't one already. currently, there are more than 114,000 people on the national transplant waiting list, desperately awaiting a life-saving organ. every day 18 people die because there aren't enough organs available. you can register as an organ, eye and tissue donor whenever obtaining or renewing your driver's license or do it online today by clicking here.

you can also build more awareness about organ donation by taking advantage of a newly launched feature on facebook. zuckerberg seems pretty pumped (as much as he can be) about this effort.

hope you can join us on June 10!