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Novartis Congratulates All Participants of the 2004 U.S. Transplant Games!

The 2004 U.S. Transplant Games was an amazing and awe-inspiring experience for me and the entire Novartis sales and marketing staff, who traveled to Minneapolis to see, share, and marvel at how transplantation changed your lives. No less inspiring and amazing were the donor families who came to support you and to honor their loved ones who live on through you. How truly moving it was to witness those who turned personal tragedy into the hope of a new beginning.

Set against the backdrop of the 50th anniversary of the first successful kidney transplant, the 2004 U.S. Transplant Games gave all of us the opportunity to reflect on the significance of the event that has lead to over 400,000 lives being saved. What an honor it was to be in the presence of Dr. Joseph Murray, the surgeon who pioneered the science of organ transplantation, and Mr. Ronald Herrick, who bravely donated his kidney to save his brother in that historic transplant surgery just 50 years ago.

This year, as Novartis celebrates its 20th year in transplant medicine, it was gratifying for me to see the impact that our current portfolio of drugs has had in allowing so many of you to participate in your athletic events. As we look to the future, we at Novartis remain committed to research aimed at improving your lives and committed to the continued sponsorship of the U.S. Transplant Games. Whether you returned home with a medal or not, you all returned home winners.

I look forward to seeing you all again in 2006!

Brian O’Callaghan
Vice President
Transplant & Immunology Business Unit
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation