National Donor Recognition Ceremony and Workshop

Washington, DC, July 17-19, 2009

The Federal government's eleventh National Donor Recognition Ceremony and Workshop (NDRCW) will be held in the Nation's capital on July 17-19, 2009, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. The NDRCW is sponsored by the Division of Transplantation, Health Resources & Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and implemented with the assistance of the National Donor Family Council of the National Kidney Foundation and other donation and transplantation organizations.

This biennial event, now held in odd numbered years, pays tribute to America's organ, tissue, and marrow donors. The National Donor Recognition Ceremony, Sunday, July 19, will honor deceased donors, donor families, and living donors and will include tributes from recipients, government officials, and others. The Saturday, July 18, program will provide educational workshops and support sessions for donor families, living donors, and their family and friends, as well as a program for donation professionals.

As always, there is no registration fee for the NDRCW workshops and ceremony; however, pre-registration is required for the Saturday workshops in order that adequate facilities and facilitators are provided. All arrangements and expenses associated with travel, lodging, meals, and incidentals are the responsibility of the participants and/or participants’ sponsor(s). Transplant recipients are invited to attend the Sunday ceremony to join in celebrating the altruism and generosity of those who have donated life.

Registration booklets for the NDRCW will be mailed in early spring to all organ procurement organizations as well as other related or interested organizations and to individuals who request them. We look forward to meeting and thanking the Nation’s donor families and living donors.

For more information about the NDRCW, please call Joy Demas at the Division of Transplantation at 301 443-7577.

NOTE: To add an individual or organization to the mailing list for NDRCW registration information as it becomes available, please email: donorfamily@kidney.org with the request.