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LifeGift Vital Volunteers Cook It Up For A Cure
LIFEGIFT VITAL VOLUNTEERS COOK IT UP FOR A CURE
Sept. 29, 2011 (Fort Worth) – Fort Worth residents and LifeGift Vital Volunteers Steve and Kelly Johnston are keeping their son’s legacy alive this fall as they prepare to host the fourth annual Dakota Lane Chili Cook-off.
The chili cook-off became a community tradition after the Johnston’s lost their son, Dakota Lane, to a rare condition known as Arterio –Venous Malformation (AVM) an abnormal collection of blood cells. Dakota was 8 years old. The purpose of the chili cook-off is to raise awareness of AVM to hopefully one day find a cure.
But Dakota’s story does not end with AVM. When he died, Kelly and Steve made the generous decision to donate their son’s organs. As a result, Dakota was able to save the lives of five others. After Dakota died, Kelly and Steve became involved with LifeGift, the local organ and tissue procurement agency as Vital Volunteers.
“Dakota never met a stranger and brightened the world with his big smile and loving heart,” said Kelly. “He will continue to bless others with life. The chili cook-off is an opportunity for our family and friends to celebrate his life.”
The fourth annual Dakota Lane Chili Cook-off takes place on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 1 p.m. at the home of Kelly and Steve Johnston, 1208 Rollie Michael Lane in Fort Worth. The registration fee is $40 per team. For more information and to register a team, visit www.dakotalanejohnston.org.
For more information about LifeGift and the Vital Volunteer program, visit www.lifegift.org.
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About LifeGift
LifeGift is a not-for-profit organ procurement organization dedicated to recovering organs and tissue for individuals needing transplants in 109 Texas counties in North Texas, Southeast Texas and West Texas. For more information, go to www.lifegift.org or 1-800-633-6562.
