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2004 Games Highlights - Recognition Awards

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transAction Council's Making Lives Better Award

The Making Lives Better award is presented to someone who embodies the mission of the National Kidney Foundation by acting as a mentor to others, in this case, experiencing transplantation.

This year’s transAction Council Making Lives Better Award was presented to Julie Schweitzer of the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii. Julie is a source of endless knowledge, an ever-present friend, and a tireless advocate. For Julie, seeing another person flourish and overcome challenges is her reward, and she makes it her mission to continually make lives better each and every day.

Her efforts have personally and professionally changed the face of organ donation in Hawaii. Through her diligence and commitment to spreading the word about living donation, Julie did more than just touch people’s lives - she saved them.

She not only offered her own kidney to a friend in need, but also helped others do the same. Julie has served as a mentor, and more importantly, a friend to many of Hawaii’s altruistic and living donors.

Determined to spread the word and increase the number of living donors, Julie launched the Hawaii Living Donor Council, created Hawaii’s first living donor handbook, and started the process of putting together an informational video on living donation. As a result of her vigorous efforts, in the past three years five people in Hawaii have chosen to step forward and donate their kidney to a perfect stranger.

Friend and living donor Lorena Diego has said that “Julie is the synergistic catalyst that drives excellence in non-profits by making a difference in the people’s lives she touches.” Making Lives Better is more than just a phrase to Julie Schweitzer. It is her way of life.