MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPP

Giving the Gift That Lives Through Organ and Tissue Donation: Stories of hope and inspiration from those with the City of Houston and LifeGift will celebrate the gift of life through organ and tissue donation.

WHAT:

The Texas Medical Center, together with the City of Houston and LifeGift, will celebrate the gift of life through organ and tissue donation.

WHEN:

Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WHERE:

John P. McGovern Texas Medical Center Commons, 6550 Bertner Ave., Houston, Texas 77030

WHO:

The program will feature:

National Football League (NFL) Fullback, Tony Richardson from the New York Jets, Keynote Speaker

NFL Defensive Tackle, Amobi Okoye from the Houston Texans

Dr. Richard E. Wainerdi, president and CEO of Texas Medical Center

Council Member Wanda Adams, Houston City Council

Testimonials from transplant recipients, donor families and those on the transplant waiting list (Spanish-speaking families will be available)

Entertainment by Nashville recording artist, Shannon Perry and Houston's own Syed Ali

WHY:

April is National Donate Life Month -- a time to honor those who gave the ultimate gift -- the gift of life through organ and tissue donation and create awareness so that others say "YES" to donation. In Texas, there is a critical shortage of registered donors. Nationally, there are more than 110,000 men, women and children who are waiting for a lifesaving transplant.

QUICK FACTS:

More than 110,000 Americans are waiting for a lifesaving transplant

More than 10,000 Texans are on the waiting list

Every day, 18 people die due to the lack of available organs for transplantation

Thirteen people are added to the waiting list for an organ daily