Your transplant story could win you a ride on a Rose Bowl Parade float

Astellas Pharma US, Inc. has once again partnered with Donate Life to participate in one of the most celebrated entertainment events in the world - the Tournament of Roses Parade. Astellas has launched its third annual Ride of a Lifetime contest, providing an opportunity for five transplant recipients to ride on the DonateLife float in the 2008 Rose Parade.

The contest asks that kidney, liver or heart transplant recipients share their inspirational stories, in an essay of 500 words or less. The essay should focus on how their life has been transformed by transplantation. An independent, third-party panel of judges, along with one Astellas representative, will select the five essay winners.

If selected, the transplant recipient who wrote the winning essay, plus one guest of their choice, will enjoy a five-night trip to California and have the opportunity to meet other recipients from around the country, work with the team to help build the float and attend special receptions. The transplant recipient will then ride on the Donate Life float in the Tournament of Roses Parade while their guest watches the Parade from a special viewing area for Donate Life friends and families.

Transplant recipients can submit their entry form and essay either online at www.TransplantExperience.com by 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 15, 2007 or via regular mail postmarked no later then June 15, 2007. The complete contest rules are available on the TransplantExperience.com website.

[Note from the Editor: This contest is only open to liver, kidney or heart transplant recipients who are currently taking Prograf® (tacrolimus) capsules, and who are legal U.S. residents and 13 years of age or older. You also must be
"physically able to stand for at least four hours," according to the rules. The essays will be judged based on: (1) readability; (2) the compelling nature of the story; and (3) the degree of transformation as a result of transplantation. One winner per geographical region (Northeast, Southeast, Mid-America, Great Lakes and Western) will be selected. ]

Iowa Transplant Open Golf Tournament set for June 2!

The Iowa Transplant Open Golf Tournament, tees off at 1:00 Saturday June 2, 2007 at the Geneva Golf and Country Club in Muscatine. Registration begins at 11:00 a.m., tee off is at 1:00 p.m. and a dinner reception follows at 6:30 p.m. Part of the funds will help Team Iowa members participate in the 2008 U.S. Transplant Games.

The event includes contests and prizes, sponsorship opportunities, silent and live auctions and special guests.

For complete information, please read the flyer. More information and a registration form are available in the Iowa Transplant Open brochure.