Dear Friends,
In 1995, Nora Baldini was awaiting a kidney transplant. Nora, her family and friends realized the importance of organ and tissue donation awareness and created what has become the Fore Kidney's Sake Foundation. Fourteen years later, as we reflect on the beginnings of FKS, I find it amazing to see what a small dedicated group of volunteers has been able to achieve. A few of these accomplishments are:
- Awareness programs at local high schools that have educated thousands of students on the importance of organ and tissue donation.
- The Nora Baldini Memorial Scholarship at Harrisburg Area Community College.
- The Fore Kidney's Sake Fountain at the Garden of Life at Hershey Medical Center.
- Partnering with other organizations with the same mission to increase awareness such as the Donor Dash of the Gift of Life Donor Program and the Dennis Ebright Scholarship of The Kidney Foundation of Central Pennsylvania.
- Supporting transplant recipients to compete in the U.S. Transplant Games.
- 14 very successful golf tournaments and 6 enthusiastic walks to promote donation.
Because we have been so successful and have had such great support, it is extremely difficult to announce that the Fore Kidney's Sake Foundation will cease all operations at the end of 2009. Limitations of time and other factors could limit our ability to produce events that meet our high standards. The difficult decision has been made by the FKS Board to end the organization before our programs suffer.
As always, the funds of Fore Kidney's Sake will be wisely used to promote organ and tissue donation awareness. Funds will be invested to support the Nora Baldini Memorial Scholarship to guarantee that scholarships are awarded in perpetuity. To date, seven scholarships have been awarded to deserving students who have been affected by organ and tissue donation. If you would like to support Fore Kidney's Sake, we ask that you make donations to the HACC Foundation and designate to the Nora Baldini Memorial Scholarship. Please CLICK HERE for more program information. Funds will also be used for a billboard campaign promoting organ donation awareness (CLICK HERE TO SEE BILLBOARD) and to support other fine local organizations that share our mission.
Although we are closing as an organization, our dedication to the mission of promoting organ and tissue donation remains strong. Currently, there are over 100,000 people in the United States that are awaiting a life-saving organ transplant. Please have the organ donor designation added to your driver's license; and above all, talk to your family about your decision.
Please continue to visit our website at www.forekidneyssake.org. Comments and questions may be submitted there.
On behalf of all the members of The Fore Kidney's Sake Foundation, THANK YOU!
Joe Ruelius
Chairman, Fore Kidney's Sake Foundation, Inc.