UCSF celebrates 45 years of transplants and 10,000 patients

**WHAT:**

UCSF is celebrating 45 years of transplant procedures and 10,000 patients.

A world leader in the field of organ and cell transplantation, UCSF has designated Transplantation Week from September 22-28, 2008. A series of special events, public lectures and forums is scheduled.

**WHY:**

Since performing its first kidney transplant in 1964, UCSF has performed transplants on more than 10,000 patients and now performs more than 500 transplants per year, including 360 kidney, 160 liver, 22 heart, 35 lung, 15 pancreas, and 10 islet cell transplants.

**MEDIA ARE INVITED TO COVER:**

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 PICNIC CELEBRATING ALL LIVING DONORS

* Noon to 2:30 p.m.
* Pioneer Log Cabin in Golden Gate Park, near Stow Lake (San Francisco)
* Photo and interview opportunities
* 200 liver and kidney transplant donors, recipients, and family members from the last 20 years will attend and share their personal stories and transplant experience. Lunch will be provided.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 CARNIVAL CELEBRATING LIVER TRANSPLANT SERVICE—1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

* Westin St. Francis Hotel (Grand Ballroom), 335 Powell St., San Francisco
* 2,000 patients have received liver transplants at UCSF over the past 20 years. Some 500 of these patients, plus donors and family members, will attend the event and share their personal stories and transplant experience.

ALL WEEK, SEPTEMBER 22-28
UCSF will host a number of events open to the public on such topics as nutrition, sexuality after transplant, Hepatitis B and C awareness and screening, fitness and transplants, HIV and transplantation. A list of events can be found at

.

Media interested in covering the events or arranging interviews should contact Kirsten Michener at (415) 476-2557.