5k run raises awareness for organ donation
The sixth-annual Second Chance 5k was hosted Saturday to raise awareness for organ donation. Approximately 200 people ran, walked, biked and pushed kids in strollers across the finish line.
Co-founder Irene Elbert said people who aren’t organ donors are misinformed about what it really means to donate. Some time in life everyone will be affected by organ donation, she said, and most people who participate in the race have received an organ transplant or know someone who has given or received an organ.
Volunteer Susan Smart said this race is about raising awareness and letting people know that saying “yes” to being an organ donor doesn’t put their life on the line. She said organ donation gives “some redeeming value to a tragedy.” The run is a way to not only support organ donation, but to support those who are affected by it, she said.
Participant Dave Eskelson said, “We run together for a cause and to be with people with similar experiences.”
John Brown has participated in the race for the past three years.
“It is inspiring to be surrounded by people who understand what you’re going through,” Brown said.
Volunteer Patience Fisher said some of the participants have donated an organ anonymously. She said people can donate through a Good Samaritan living donation and anonymously give a non-essential organ such as part of the liver or a kidney.
First-place winner Rich Cope said his wife’s family has participated in the Second Chance 5k for the past five years. It has become a good family tradition and a way to help the community, Cope said.
The run started at 9 a.m. in the parking lot of the football stadium. The route went south, up 800 East, through the USU campus passing Old Main, the Quad, the cemetery, then north past the Foothill Carwash and ended back in the parking lot.
–cassi.joe.cline@aggiemail.usu.edu