A Celebration Of Life At The 20th Annual Donor Dash
By Tim Jimenez
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Thousands gathered at the Art Museum Sunday morning for the annual Donor Dash, a celebration of organ and tissue donors and the recipients of their life saving gifts.
The sun was shining with a bit of a breeze at the 20th run and walk organized by the Gift of Life program.
Among those at the event was Melissa Coleman from Devon, who got a new kidney seven years ago. She clutched the picture of her donor Sean Clegg, who died at 14 after being hit by a car.
"His awe inspiring family made that awesome decision to give a whole bunch of us new leases on life." Said Coleman. "I know his heart transplant recipient. I know his other kidney recipient, his lung recipient."
Also there, Sandra, 15 years after getting a kidney and pancreas. She always thinks of her donor, a 21 year old mother of three.
"I'm so grateful, I know it doesn't equate their grief and so its so hard and just, survivor's guilt." said Sandra.
Organizers say 6,100 people are waiting for a transplant in our region.