My celebrity Dad

Thousands gather for donors event
Record crowd at 5th annual Donate Life Walk made up of many individuals touched by organ transplantation.

By ERIC CARPENTER
The Orange County Register

FULLERTON - About 5,000 runners and walkers formed a massive crowd at the starting line to the 5th annual Donate Life Walk on Saturday at Cal State Fullerton – by far the largest attendance in the event's history.
They came for a common cause – to spread the word about the dire need for more organ and tissue donors.
But among the crowd were countless personal stories of participants who had their own reasons for coming.
Some wore T-shirts with the image of a loved one who had died, but also gave life to others through organ donation. Others were organ recipients who wanted to show off their health and celebrate a second chance at life.
"This wouldn't have been possible for me a year ago, I couldn't have walked a few feet," said Henry Valtier, 56, who received a heart transplant last July. He walked with about 20 friends and family members, carrying a small Tin Man like the character that travels to the Wizard of Oz in search of a heart.
"I've been given another chance," Valtier said, "and I want others to see what's possible."
The event began in 2003 with several hundred people. This year, council members representing 11 Orange County cities participated. And it has also become a more regional event with about 60 percent of its participants from outside the county.

On a side note, Annie and I were trying to think of a gift for my dad when he got out of the hospital. While walking around Citywalk the idea hit Annie. A Tin Man from Wizard of Oz! It was perfect. He wanted a heart, my dad wanted a heart. He finally got a heart, my dad finally got a heart! Good times!