FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                CONTACT:    Marti Stefanovich
February 12, 2002                                                                            (775) 684-1114

PRESS CONFERENCE: NATIONAL DONOR AWARENESS DAY, FEBRUARY 14
Nevadans Encouraged to “Give the Gift of Life” through Blood, Organ and Tissue Donation

Carson City—Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa, Assemblywoman Dawn Gibbons, Saturn dealerships across Nevada, United Blood Services of Nevada, and numerous community organizations are encouraging Nevada citizens to consider organ, tissue and blood donations in honor of National Donor Awareness Day February 14, 2002.

 Saturn of West Sahara (5325 West Sahara) is host to a press conference at 11:30 a.m. on Valentine’s Day, February 14^th.

 The press conference will highlight the need for donors and will feature Jerry Prose, a heart transplant recipient, local volunteers, and a look at the new “Organ Donor” plates available from the DMV.  Also present at the press conference will be Ken Richardson, Executive Director of the Nevada Donor Network, and Michael Curtis of Saturn Las Vegas.

 Organ donor pamphlets and brochures will be available and there will be ample opportunities for attendees to ask questions of the participants.

 Saturn Las Vegas is simultaneously hosting community car-washes and barbeques from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to help raise Organ Donor awareness.  These events are at both Saturn West Sahara (5325 West Sahara) and Saturn Henderson (310 North Gibson Road).

  For a copy of the Nevada Organ and Tissue Donor Task Force Action Plan or “The Gift of Life! Pass It On,” brochure, please go to http://www.dmvnv.com/nvdl.htm or http://ag.state.nv.us.

           For more information on becoming a donor, call the Living Bank at 1-800-528-2971, or go to www.thetransplantnetwork.com, www.nevadadonornetwork.org, or to www.livingbank.org.

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