In 2007, he was asked to join the board for Donate Life Virginia as their Organ Recipient Voice, where he helped form a local Transplant Games in Richmond. After the race, I was inspired to try everything I could athletically.” Besides athletics, Christopher focused on giving back by volunteering with his local Organ Procurement Organization (Lifenet) and United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), speaking to driver’s education classes, area hospital staff, and at local donor events. Christopher ran his first 5K just five months post transplant and says, “I had been a bench warmer up until that point. Due to the scarring and damage to his lungs he was listed for a lung transplant at The University of Virginia Medical Center and remained on the list for almost two years before a set of lungs became available. In addition to being active with Donate Life Ohio, speaking at various events, and raising thousands of dollars for research, Donerik is also active with the American Heart Association and was recognized as a Heart Hero in 2013.Ĭhristopher Nalley, of Richmond, Virginia, was born with Cystic Fibrosis and at 20 years old he was put in a five month long drug induced coma to safely treat him for the pneumonia he developed. He has returned to the sport he loves, competing in 40 local races and three national events. Prior to Donerik’s deteriorating health, he was a competitive BMX rider. In 2015, He was listed and received a heart, that he desperately needed, at the Cleveland Clinic,” said O’Malley. Fast forward a few years later- through a successful transplant and recovery for this father- Donerik’s health, specifically his heart, began to fail. Donerik’s connection to donation began in 2006 when he donated a kidney to his father. "I met Donerik 20 years ago and could never imagine back then that this is where his life journey would take him.
3, the Bounce Back Award will be presented on top of Aspen Mountain in front of 500 racers and CKF supporters.Īndi O’Malley, director of communications at Donate Life Ohio, nominated winner Donerik Black, of Englewood, Ohio. CKF will host the winners in Aspen and provide flights, lodging and tickets to all Summit for Life weekend events. The winners and one guest each will win a trip to Aspen, CO, for CKF’s 11 th annual Aspen Summit for Life weekend Dec. I am confident that the winners will both inspire and give hope to other transplant recipients."
"Astellas' collaboration with the Chris Klug Foundation is a way to recognize patients who fully embrace their post-transplant lives and to highlight the possibilities post-transplant life can bring. They are an example for others," said Margaret Long, vice president business communications and stakeholder engagement at Astellas. "Each of the winners has an important story to tell. Winners were chosen by CKF staff and board members from more than 60 incredible nominations from 17 states. The award goes to two transplant recipients who exhibit a great post-transplant quality of life. and ASPEN, Colo., AugThe Chris Klug Foundation (CKF) is pleased to announce the winners of the third annual Bounce Back Award, presented by Astellas.