Washington, D.C. - D.C. United today announced the club is partnering with Washington Regional Transplant Consortium (WRTC), the federally designated non-profit organ and tissue recovery agency for the metropolitan D.C. area. The two organizations will co-sponsor Donate Life Night when United hosts Chivas USA on May 6, at RFK Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET.
"D.C. United is happy to call attention to the importance of organ donation," said Aprile Pritchet, D.C. United Community Relations Manager. "As one donor can help more than 50 people, we realize that we have an opportunity to affect a great number of lives through this partnership. D.C. United applauds and supports the efforts of WRTC and hopes to continue working for this cause going forward."
Fans will also get the chance on Sunday to speak to donor families and transplant recipients and hear their personal stories. Donation experts will be on hand to answer questions and to promote healthy lifestyles that will decrease the chance of needing a transplant. Before the game, Cameron Jones and Nyasha Sprow will join the Black-and-Red on the field as ceremonial kickers. Cameron, 9 years old from Silver Spring, Maryland, is the brother of 3 years old heart transplant recipient Olivia Jones. He plays soccer at the MSI. Nyasha, 9 years old from Dale City, Virginia, is a donor sister representing all donor families.
More than 95,000 Americans currently await organ transplants, more 2,100 in the D.C. area. Each day, 18 people die awaiting a life-saving organ transplant. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people need donated tissue. The solution to this problem is simple: more people can and should say yes to donation.
For more information on the partnership between D.C. United and WRTC, please contact Aprile Pritchet at 202-587-5453 or at apritchet@dcunited.com. For more information about organ, eye and tissue donation, please visit www.BeADonor.org or call toll free 866-Be-A-Donor.
About Washington Regional Transplant Consortium
Washington Regional Transplant Consortium is the federally designated organ and tissue recovery agency for the metropolitan D.C. area. WRTC, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, provides excellence and integrity in donation and transplantation services while providing support for donor families.
