Press Release
Media Photos & Interview Opportunities
Saturday, June 17
8:30 – 10:00 a.m. Celebrity Appearance at Dean Kutz 5K Race for Organ and Tissue Donation
Pat Day, celebrated jockey, to kick off race in memory of close friend, fellow jockey and kidney transplant recipient, Dean Kutz. Family of Dean Kutz to participate as well.
More than 1,000 participants, transplant athletes and community members, from Louisville and around the country will walk or run in support of organ donation and transplantation. Chris Klug, liver recipient and Olympic bronze medalist in snowboarding, will participate and present medals at the awards ceremony.
4th Street between Liberty and Muhammad Ali Boulevard
10:30 – noon Celebrity Appearances at Games Expo
Actor and liver recipient Larry Hagman will be autographing his “Dallas”-era “Hagman dollars” at the National Kidney Foundation Games Expo
Galt House Hotel 140 N. Fourth Street
7:30 – 9: 00 p.m. Opening Ceremonies
Athlete greetings by Larry Hagman, Chris Klug, Ann Lopez, kidney donor to her husband, comedian and actor George Lopez. Master of Ceremonies is actor and kidney recipient Ken Howard of “White Shadow” fame.
Freedom Hall at Kentucky Fair Exposition Center,
937 Phillips Lane
Sunday, June 18
11:30a.m. – 12:30p.m. Medals Presentation
Larry Hagman, Ken Howard and Ann Lopez to present gold, silver and bronze medals to winning athletes at the swimming competition.
Ralph Wright Natatorium@Cardinal Park,
at 2216 S. Floyd Street
2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Donor Recognition Ceremony
This event honors families who donated organs or tissues of a loved one. Larry Hagman, Ann Lopez to participate in the ceremony. Highlights include tributes by recipients, medal presentations and a special video tribute to deceased donors. The event is expected to attract 1,000 people.
Louisville Palace Theater, 625 Fourth Avenue
Monday, June 19
1:00 -2:00 pm Medals Presentation
Ken H oward, Ann Lopez to present gold, silver and bronze medals to winning athletes at the track and field competition.
Cardinal Park Soccer and Track Stadium,
2125 South Floyd Street
3:00p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Living Donor Recognition Event
Ann Lopez will be the keynote speaker at this event honoring all living donors. Children ages 5-12 will give thanks to their donors for their second chance at life. Ken Howard will host the event.
Galt House Hotel, 140 N. Fourth Street
8:00 - 10:00 p.m. Quilt Pinning Ceremony
Donor families will remember their loved ones by pinning hand-made patches to the National Donor Family Quilt, a memorial designed to commemorate their family members’ gift of life. The Quilt features 2,100 handmade patches.
Galt House Hotel, 140 N. Fourth Street
Tuesday, June 20
6:30 –8:00p.m. Closing Ceremonies
Team Cup, best male and female athlete award presented. Ken Howard as Master of Ceremonies with appearance by Ann Lopez and NBA star and kidney transplant recipient Sean Elliott.
Louisville Gardens, 525 West Muhammad Ali Blvd.
CONTACT: Ellie Schlam / Eric Davis
ON-SITE PRESS ROOM: (502) 815-6701 or (502) 815-6702
MOBILE : (516) 286-4035 / (612)202-9407
EMAIL: ellies@kidney.org / eric@habermaninc.com
