LifeGift Names New Director of Communications

HOUSTON – Dec. 29, 2009 – Laura Frnka, APR, has been named the Director of Communications for LifeGift, a not-for-profit organ and tissue procurement organization. In this role, Frnka will oversee all marketing and communications for LifeGift's Houston headquarters, as well as its regional offices in Fort Worth, Amarillo and Lubbock.

"Laura brings a great mix of experience to her new role at LifeGift. She brings hospital and Texas Medical Center experience, as well as a great deal of commercial marketing experience to the organization. I'm very pleased she has decided to join our management team," said Sam Holtzman, president and CEO of LifeGift. "Organ and tissue donation is all about saving lives and helping people understand the tremendous need we have for donors. This will be a key element to Laura's new job."

Frnka, an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), joins LifeGift with more than 11 years of communications experience. Prior to joining LifeGift, she was an account supervisor for Pierpont Communications, one of Texas' largest growing integrated marketing communications agencies. Here, Frnka was responsible for managing some of the firm's marquee clients, including Verizon Wireless and Emirates Airline.

Before joining Pierpont in May of 2006, Frnka was a public relations specialist for Texas Children's Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. While at Texas Children's, Frnka handled public relations for the Texas Children's Cancer Center and was instrumental in founding the Texas Children's Cure Kids Cancer Radiothon, now in its sixth year. She also assisted in public relations for the Heart Center and Learning Support Center. Frnka was on the front lines during Texas Children's response to Hurricane Katrina and helped to coordinate local, regional and national media stories.

"I look forward to raising awareness of LifeGift's mission to save and enhance lives by maximizing organ and tissue donation and recovery," said Frnka. "Organ donation is an issue that has touched my family, making this job even more rewarding."

Frnka received a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from Texas A&M University in 1997. She is an active member of the Houston Chapter of PRSA and currently serves on the Board of Directors.

About LifeGift
In its 22nd year of operation, LifeGift is a not-for-profit organ procurement organization dedicated to recovering organs and tissue for individuals needing transplants in 109 Texas counties in West, North and Southeast Texas. For more information or to register as a donor, go to www.lifegift.org or 1-800-633-6562.