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Title and Founding Sponsor

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is the Title and Founding Sponsor of the 2004 U.S. Transplant Games. Through this sponsorship, Novartis continues the long-standing commitment begun by Sandoz with the first Games in 1990 (Sandoz merged with Ciba in December 1996 to form Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation). Novartis is focused on enhancing the quality of life for transplant recipients through the development and introduction of novel drugs and technologies. As the leader in the field of transplantation, Novartis is also committed to educating the public about the urgent need for organ donation and the life-saving potential of organ transplantation.

Novartis manufactures and markets Neoral® (cyclosporine,USP)MODIFIED Sandimmune® (cyclosporine, USP), Simulect® (basiliximab) and, recently introduced myfortic® (mycophenolic acid) . Novartis' contributions to the field of transplantation have had a positive impact on transplant success rates and graft survival and have helped improve the quality of life for transplant recipients.

Jonathan Blutfield, Executive Director of Transplant and Immunology Marketing for Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, has been involved with the transplant community for 20 years. Click here to read his story.

Gold Medal Sponsors

Roche continues to expand its commitment to improve the long-term outcomes of transplantation, while enhancing the quality of life for patients. Roche has developed three innovative therapies that improve graft and post-transplant health: Zenapax (daclizumab), used as part of an immunosuppressive regimen to prevent acute rejection of newly transplanted kidneys, CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil), used as part of an immunosuppressive regimen to prevent rejection in kidney, liver and heart transplant patients, and Valcyte (valganciclovir), for the prevention of cytomegalovirus in high-risk kidney, kidney-pancreas and heart transplant patients. Valcyte is not approved for use in liver transplants.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, works to ensure that the health care needs of all Americans - especially the underserved and hard to reach - are met. Through its leadership role in HHS's "Gift of Life" Donation Initiative, the Division of Transplantation (DoT) within HRSA's Office of Special Programs, implements and coordinates special projects throughout the Nation to increase the availability of organs and tissues for transplantation. Since 1994, DoT has sponsored eight National Donor Recognition Ceremonies to pay tribute to the Nation's donors and invites donor families, living donors, and recipients to join us in Washington, D.C. in 2005 for the ninth. DoT also provides funding support for and oversight of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, and the National Marrow Donor Program contracts.

Cargill is an international provider of food, agricultural and risk management products and services. With 101,000 employees in 60 countries, the company is committed to being a global leader in corporate citizenship by nourishing the people and possibilities that reside in communities where we do business. For more information, visit http://www.cargill.com.

Silver Medal Sponsors

With more than 18,000 members, the National Council of Corvette Clubs, Inc. (NCCC) is the largest group of Corvette owners in the United States. It is a nonprofit, one hundred percent volunteer organization. For more than 20 years, the NCCC has conducted a nationwide Corvette drawing to benefit a charitable organization. For the past several years, it has selected the U.S. Transplant Games as its beneficiary. The NCCC has a local presence in every state and traditionally has assisted its beneficiary in additional local fund raising. The NCCC has been a major sponsor of the U.S. Transplant Games since 1996.

Coca-Cola® Who would have ever thought that what begans as a local soda fountain curiosity on May 8, 1886, would become the world's favorite soft drink? From its simple beginning, Coca-Cola® has grown to be a part of life in cities and towns around the world. It has been over 100 years since Coca-Cola was first served in an Atlanta pharmacy. During this time, the flowing Coca-Cola script has become the best known and most admired trademark in the history of commerce, recognized by nearly all of the world's population.

Chuck Fruit, Senior VP and Director of Worldwide Media and Alliances in the company's Corporate Marketing area, is also a kidney recipient. Click here to read his story.

United Resource Networks (URN) provides specialized solutions for complex medical conditions. Our Centers of Excellence networks, and clinical consulting services apply to the areas of transplantation, congenital heart disease (CHD) and complex cancers. Our portfolio of products includes Transplant Resource Services, CHD Resource Services, Cancer Resource Services, EnvisionCare Alliance case management and Specialized Physician Review medical appropriateness opinion services.

UnitedHealth Group is the nation's largest health and well-being company. Evercare, a UnitedHealth Group business, is committed to optimizing the health and well-being of aging, vulnerable and chronically ill individuals in nursing homes or community settings. Our Evercare Connections program assists elders and their caregivers by offering comprehensive assessments, consultation, and personalized care management services.

Bronze Medal Sponsors

Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc. manufactures and markets proprietary pharmaceutical products in specialty therapeutic areas where there is an unmet medical need. Fujisawa's global mission to explore the frontiers of human health underscores the company's commitment to the field of immunology, where aggressive research and development initiatives have helped to put Fujisawa at the forefront of transplantation.

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals is committed to providing product innovation and the very highest level of professional and educational services to the transplant community. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth, has leading products in the areas of women's health care, cardiovascular disease, central nervous system, inflammation, hemophilia, oncology and vaccines. Wyeth (NYSE:WYE) is one of the world's largest research-driven pharmaceutical and health care products companies. It is a leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing, and marketing of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biotechnology products and non-prescription medicines that improve the quality of life for people worldwide. The Company's major divisions include Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare and Fort Dodge Animal Health.

Every year, Mayo Clinic doctors perform more than 1,000 transplants, making it the largest transplant program in the United States. Since the first kidney transplant at Mayo Clinic in 1963, thousands of transplant recipients have benefited from the integrated practice, education and research model that consistently delivers above standard survival rates.

Advancements in transplantation at Mayo Clinic have led to many innovative therapies for difficult-to-treat medical problems. Leading research gives patients the opportunity to participate in the clinical use of new techniques, drugs and technology.

Transplant programs available at the William J. von Liebig Transplant Center at Mayo Clinic in Rochester include liver, kidney, pancreas, heart, lung, and blood and bone marrow transplantation. In addition to its site in Rochester, Mayo Clinic provides comprehensive transplant services at its locations in Jacksonville, Fla., and Scottsdale, Ariz. National contracts with insurance companies allow patients to receive care at any of the three sites. Additionally, patients have access to advances being developed at each site or to have care coordinated between sites.

Organ and tissue donation is a precious gift that offers life and hope to those most in need. As the bridge between donation and transplantation, the staff and board at LifeSource are committed to stewardship of these gifts.

The LifeSource mission is to provide the bridge between the loss of life and the gift of life through organ and tissue donation and transplantation. LifeSource achieves this mission by coordinating all aspects of the donation process, extending compassionate and sensitive care to donor families, providing professional education for hospital partners, and increasing public awareness and support for donation.

LifeSource is the non-profit organ procurement organization (OPO) designated by the federal government to manage organ donations in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and portions of Western Wisconsin. LifeSource also manages tissue recovery programs in the region.

KARE-TV is known for telling the stories of a community that cares. KARE is the Twin Cities television news leader with a long commitment to quality storytelling. KARE has received numerous national and awards in recognition of that quality.

KARE is truly a community station. Minnesotans have come to expect unequaled support, coverage and commitment for community issues and organizations from KARE. Health and volunteerism are the two areas in which KARE has truly distinguished itself.

KARE-TV is an NBC affiliate owned and operated by the Gannett Corporation.

3M is an $18 billion diversified technology company with leading positions in electronics, telecommunications, industrial, consumer and office, health care, safety and other markets. Headquartered in St. Paul, MN, 3M has operations in more than 60 countries. For more than a 100 years, 3M employees have developed technologies and products that help customers succeed. 3M's product portfolio includes products ranging from household names such as ScotchMagicTape and Post-itNotes to premium automobile components, highly visible traffic signs and flexible electronic circuits. The company has also developed breakthroughs in medicine; for example, 3M introduced its immune response modifiers (IRMs) a new class of pharmaceuticals that stimulate the body’s immune system to fight virus-infected cells. 3M also makes unique films for identification security, as well as a range of safety products. Creating innovative products and services that respond to customer needs is a way of life at 3M. In 2003, the 3M Foundation celebrated 50 years of community giving. A total of over $50 million was contributed to address local community needs through grants from 3M and the 3M Foundation and donations of 3M products.