ORGAN DONATION WALK SET IN CAPE GIRARDEAU THURSDAY

Families of organ and tissue donors around the country, including a Cape Girardeau couple, will gather in Washington, D.C., today to participate in a donor family recognition event to begin National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week today through Saturday.

Paul and Kathy Breitenstein of Cape Girardeau donated the tissue of their 3-year-old son Seth following his death in a 1992 automobile accident. The Breitensteins are sponsored by Mid-America Transplant Association to represent donor families from throughout the region.

Area residents will have an opportunity to show their support at the seventh annual Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Walk on Thursday. Registration for the walk will begin at 5 p.m. in front of the KFVS-TV studios, 310 Broadway. The walk begins at 6 p.m. It will go from KFVS to the Downtown Pavilion on South Main Street.

Walk participants also are encouraged to take part in the annual banner contest. Prizes will be awarded to the groups creating banners that best depict the organ and tissue donation theme.

Schools and organizations are also welcome to carry their banners. Contest prizes this year include a pizza party for 10 from Imo's Pizza and a group train ride on the St. Louis Iron Mountain and Southern Railway.

In addition, an attendance prize, tickets to a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game and dinner for two at Mike Shannon's, will be awarded. A brief program and refreshments are planned at the pavilion.

"In spirit of the compassion and generosity of families like the Breitensteins, there is a critical shortage of donated organs," said Dean Kappel, Mid-America Transplant Association president and CEO. "There are over 800 people in Missouri and over 33,000 nationally waiting for lifesaving transplants, but many of these people will die before a suitable matching organ becomes available," he said.

A single organ and tissue donor, Kappel said, can save or improve the lives of 40 to 50 people by donating up to seven vital organs, two eyes for corneal transplants and bone and soft tissues to benefit 30 to 40 others.

Vital organs that can be donated include the heart, kidneys, lungs, liver and the pancreas. Tissues that can be donated include eyes, long bones from the legs, heart valves, saphenous veins and tendons.