Secretary Thompson will pay tribute to organ and tissue donorsand donor families at the National Donor Recognition Ceremony on July 8 in Washington, D.C. Some 150 donors and donor families are expected. The ceremony is a collaborative effort between HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration and the National Kidney Foundation’s National Donor Family Council.

The ceremony will feature a video presentation of participating living donors and deceased donors whose families are representing them at the program. The National Donor Family Quilt, created by donor families across the country, also will be on display during the event.

WHO:           Tommy G. Thompson
                     HHS Secretary for Health and Human Services
                     Kenneth P. Moritsugu, M.D., M.P.H.
                     Deputy Surgeon General and Donor Father and Husband

WHEN:         July 8, 2001
                    1 – 3 p.m.

WHERE:      Omni Shoreham Hotel
                   2500 Calvert Street, N.W.
                   Washington, DC 20008
                   Telephone: (202) 234-0700

CONTACT:  Kay Templeton Garvey
                  HRSA Communications, (301) 443-3376
                  Weekend: (703) 281-1306

NOTE: Donors and donor families will be available for interviews in the press area after the ceremony.

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