NKF Serving North Texas Gift of Life Gala

The NKF serving North Texas would like to thank our underwriters, honorees and guest for a wonderful 2009 Gift of Life Gala!

The Gift of Life Gala was held on Saturday, November 7, 2009 and was a celebration to honor those who give and receive the ultimate "gift of life" – that of an organ donation. This evening feature dinner, a live auction, awards presentation and dancing to the music of "America´s Got Talent" finalist Paul Salos and the Let´s Dance Orchestra.

The Gift of Life Gala commemorated the 45^th Anniversary of the first successful kidney transplant in Texas at Parkland Hospital, performed by Dr. Paul C. Peters, a Urologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center. We commend Dr. Peters for paving the way for years of life–saving work in this critical field. Dr. Peters´ achievements in transplantation also included being part of a team that developed the first portable perfusion pump that significantly increased the amount of time kidneys could be held prior to transplantation in waiting recipients. The Paul C. Peters Award for Excellence, established by the National Kidney Foundation Serving North Texas in 2001, honors medical professionals for their dedication to patients and their achievements in the field of organ transplantation. This year the award was presented to three individuals whose contributions to transplant medicine further what Dr. Peters started in 1964.

Paul Peters Award for Excellence Recipients
Dr. Goran Klintmalm – Baylor University Medical Center
Dr. Richard Dickerman – Methodist Dallas Medical Center & Medical
City Dallas Hospital
Dr. Arthur Sagalowsky – UT Southwestern Medical Center

The Gift of Life Award, established by the NKF Serving North Texas, honors remarkable individuals who have given or received the gift of organ donation

Gift of Life Award Recipients
Ms. Christine Brauss – transplant recipient
Mr. Fred Martin – kidney donor
Ms. Patti Martin – kidney donor
Miss Lauren Lupher, organ donor, and her loving parents, Gary and Linda Lupher