During the final Home Run for Life game of the season, Donor Network West will celebrate Caitlin Howard and her second chance at life.
At just 8 months old, Caitlin Howard, was diagnosed with biliary atresia, a condition in infants which can cause liver failure. Her father, Mitchell Howard, donated part of his liver to save his daughter, allowing her to grow and thrive as a young child living in Bishop, California.
However, at age 9, she began to feel ill again––further tests revealed she needed another liver transplant. Caitlin received her second liver transplant at 14 years old after six years on the national transplant waiting list. Today at age 31, she enjoys life with family and friends, spending time outside and caring for animals.
“Connecting with Donor Network West has helped me,” said Caitlin. “I didn’t know anyone who had a transplant growing up, especially in my small town. Now, I know people who have experienced the waiting and the aftermath of transplant and they know what it’s like.”
Representing Donor Network West, Caitlin will run the bases during the second inning at the Reno Aces’ Home Run for Life game, presented by Donor Network West, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at Greater Nevada Field as the Reno Aces take on the El Paso Chihuahuas.
Since the start of 2024, Donor Network West has facilitated the transplantation of 1,100 organs and helped save the lives of 849 individuals. However, the national transplant waiting list continues to grow and every 10 minutes, someone in need is added to waiting list––continuing to raise awareness and further education about the impact of organ donation is critical.
Donor Network West, northern Nevada’s only federally designated nonprofit organ procurement organization, is proud to support Home Run for Life baseball games during the Reno Aces’ 2024 season. In its third year, the partnership brings significant awareness about organ donation to northern Nevada where the need is great.
“Donor Network West is honored to celebrate the lives of transplant recipients like Caitlin,” said Matthew Graves, vice president of donor operations, Donor Network West. “Our partnership with the Reno Aces enables Donor Network West to further our mission to save and heal lives by highlighting the tremendous impact of organ, eye and tissue donation in northern Nevada.”
Six times per season, the Home Run for Life game series honors a northern Nevada community member who has received a life-saving transplant, lost a loved one who gave the gift of life through organ donation, or helped provide support and healing to those impacted by organ, eye and tissue donation. This is the sixth and final Home Run for Life game of the 2024 season.
“In our third year of partnership with Donor Network West, we’ve been able to highlight the impact of organ donation during nearly 20 home games,” said Eric Edelstein, Reno Aces president. “Donor Network West’s work is lifesaving, and the Reno Aces are proud to support them in raising awareness of the importance of organ donation.”
Anyone, regardless of age, race or health status can join the registry to become an organ donor. To learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation, visit DonorNetworkWest.org.
About Donor Network West
Donor Network West saves and heals lives by facilitating organ and tissue recovery for transplantation and research. Established in 1987, Donor Network West is designated and certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), is a member of the Organ Donation Alliance and is an official Donate Life organization. Donor Network West is federally designated to serve 45 counties in northern California and northern Nevada, Donor Network West partners with the Department of Motor Vehicles and the state-authorized donor registries to help increase donor registration. For information, visit www.DonorNetworkWest.org and follow us on social media: @mydnwest.
About the Reno Aces
Since 2009, the Reno Aces, Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, has been a fixture in the northern Nevada community providing family-friendly entertainment and Minor League Baseball in downtown Reno at Greater Nevada Field. Over the past 14 years, over 4.5 million fans have passed through the turnstiles, and the Aces have contributed to thousands of different non-profit charities throughout the region. For more information about the team or tickets for the entire 2023 season, visit RenoAces.com or Text TIXX to 21003.
This post is paid content and does not represent the views of This Is Reno. Looking to promote your event or news? Consider a sponsored post.
