Honorary Chairman

A Message From Our Honorary Chairman Larry Hagman

Dear Fellow Transplant Recipient:

All of us who have experienced the struggle with illness, near death and salvation through transplantation have felt alone at one time or another. Transplant recipients have unique needs to which most of our friends and family members can't fully relate. When it comes to dealing with daily medications, worrying about how we're going to pay for them, forging new relationships, going back to work and getting the word out about organ donation, we need to band together to support each other and advocate for ourselves and those still on the transplant waiting list. When we join forces and speak with one voice, each of us becomes so much stronger.

That's why I am inviting you to become a member of the transAction Council, a People Like Us" initiative of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), the largest not-for-profit organization serving individuals with all organ transplants. Membership is free and the transAction Council provides you with information, advice and programs focused on education, health, fitness, rehabilitation and other issues important to transplant recipients. In addition, the Council works with NKF in promoting legislative initiatives that will benefit transplant recipients.

One of transAction's programs that is a true testament to the triumphs we experience through transplantation is the U.S. Transplant Games, a biennial Olympic-style event for transplant recipients. I attended the Transplant Games for the first time 10 years ago and I haven't missed one since. I go to the Games to enjoy the special bond that we recipients all share, to gain strength from seeing so many who have overcome tremendous challenges and to show the world the life-saving power of organ donation.

To learn more about the transAction Council and to sign up to become a member, please browse the site at www.transplantrecipients.org. There you'll find lots of helpful news and articles about transplantation and even a message board where recipients share personal stories and concerns.

Together, we can improve the quality of our lives.

Sincerely,
Larry Hagman, Actor, Liver Recipient
Honorary Chairman of the transAction Council
National Kidney Foundation