Awards -- 2007 Silver Medal Jefferson Award from CBS 5, KCBS Radio, San Francisco Chronicle -- 2006 Jefferson Award from CBS 5, KCBS Radio, San Francisco Chronicle -- 2000 First Family Pledge Award from American Society of Transplant Surgeons -- 1997 Community Recognition Award from the California Transplant Donor Network -- 1997 "Most unique group to run the Bay to Breakers (the world's largest footrace) in its 86-year history," per the San Francisco Examiner, May 14, 1997. -- Winner of numerous races (transplant division): The Relay, Bay to Breakers, San Francisco Marathon Relay (Runner's World Magazine, Nov. 1997), San Francisco Marathon, Rock 'n' Roll San Jose Half Marathon and California International Marathon.
This May 1st and 2nd The Flaming Calla Lilies team will walk for the fourth time the 129 miles between Marin and Santa Cruz in order to raise funds and awareness for organ donation. We began three years ago to honor the memory of Ellen Schlegel, a Contra Costa Firefighter, and sister of team members Maggie Shepard and Carolyn Langford and mother of our youngest team member, Madeline. Ellen was an amazing athlete who had run the 199 mile Relay course for several years before her sudden death at the age of 41 in December of 2004. Calla Lilies were her favorite flower- and the flaming part? Well, you kind of had to know Ellen, who attacked everything she did in life with a zest and enthusiasm that was unparalleled. Unfortunately, we have another very personal reason for participating in this event. Carolyn, a Special Day Class teacher in Concord, CA, has Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, a very rare autoimmune disease of the liver that is only curable with a liver transplant. She will walk again this year along with 11 other amazing women who are willing to stay up all night and walk, laugh, tend to each others blisters, and participate in a singular female bonding experience.
This year we are so pleased to welcome two more team members whose lives have been touched by organ donation: Volunteer Rick Odom and his mother, Carolyn Bourns. Rick received a new liver in July of last year and will be working the finish line. Carolyn will be starting the race off for us at the Marin Cheese Factory as Walker #1. We are very proud of our team, not only for having come in 1st, two of the last three years but mostly for ranking as one of the top fund raisers out of the almost 200 run and walk teams that participate. This year, we are hoping to surpass our previous amount and can do so only with your help. Please consider these facts:
In the long run (or walk!), organ donation saves lives. We hope you can donate, and remember, no amount is too small. Just click on the"Sponsor Me Now" button at the top of this page and you will be able to make a tax-deductible contribution to this great cause. It only takes a moment. If you would prefer to donate by personal check:
Whether or not you can contribute money at this time, please consider donating an organ. It's easy, free and the ultimate gift, the gift of life. To learn more about organ donation, as well as to become a donor using your California drivers license, simply go to http://www.dmv.ca.gov/about/organdonor.htm where you can get more information and register in a matter of minutes with the DMV's Organ and Tissue Registry. Thank you for visiting our fundraising site - The Flaming Calla Lilies 2010
Peggy Elias-Adams
Carolyn Bourns
Belinda Davies
Michele Hill
Carolyn Langford
Kristen Langford
Pam Jones
Madeline Schlegel
Becky Shea
Renee Walker
Anita Yung
Maggie Shepard, Team Captain
And last but not least, our esteemed volunteers:
David Donica
Richard Odom
