Oklee Market Day Organ & Tissue Donor Awareness 5K raised $1,675

Oklee Market Day Organ & Tissue Donor Awareness 5K had a lot of meaning to the Carriere family. Bob Carriere had a heart transplant January 15, 2017 and was a patient at the University of Minnesota for about three months. 

While he stayed in the hospital waiting for the transplant he was visited by Second Chance for Life Foundation president, Tracie Vandenburgh on a regular basis. Tracie was able to give Bob answers about what to expect with the heart transplant. Tracie was also a heart transplant recipient so she knew all too well about the situation he was in. 

The Second Chance for Life Foundation support people who have had or are waiting for a heart transplant at the University of Minnesota and the  Masonic Children’s Hospital.

They assist patients with the miracle of transplantation and support patients through difficult times, mentally, physically, emotionally and financially. 

Second Chance for Life Foundation was founded by a group of heart transplant patients in 1988 who recognized the need for support. They are a nonprofit all volunteer organization managed by patients for patients. They offer weekly meetings about transplants which Bob was able to attend and learned more about what to expect while he was waiting for his miracle to come. 

Bob and his wife Sue got to know Tracie quite well and still keep in touch with her. A few members of  the  Carriere family had the honor to present Tracie with a check from the Oklee Market Day 5K for $1,675.00. 

The Organ & Tissue Donor Awareness 5K was organized by Tracy Hamm, Suzie Gunderson, Kim Olson, Bobbie Olson, Jjill Chervestad and Sylvia Majeres. They would like to thank everyone who participated and helped out in the 5K and everyone who donated, it was a huge success.