PORTLAND, Or-- On Friday, 4,000 walkers will begin the 21st annual Integra Telecom Portland to Coast Walk Relay.
Among those competing, a team of twelve people who've either had an organ transplant or donated an organ.
The team is called The Transplant Trotters.
This is Bob Dexter's third year on the team. He's had two liver transplants in the past seven years. Dexter says the thought of walking his daughter down the aisle got him through the waiting and eventual recovery process. Now, he's walking to raise awareness so that more lives are saved.
"The hospitals are ready, we have patients, but we don’t have enough organs available, so anything we can do to make that happen is a plus," said Dexter.
Four years ago, team member Nicole Andergard donated one of her kidneys to her best friend. Both have made a wonderful recovery. Andergard says Team Transplant Trotters proves that transplant donors and recipients can lead active and happy lives.
"Most people don't think about organ donation until it hits them personally. I just wanted to join the ranks at Donate Life
and help educate people," said Andergard. "Check that D on your driver's license," she continued.
According to Donate Life, every 11 minutes a new name is added to the national organ waiting list. Donate Life says there are 821 people in Oregon waiting for an organ.