Greetings, and Welcome to Team Ruben 2020

I am pleased to invite you to (re)join me this year to both honor my donor, Ruben Bernal, Jr., and help support the efforts of Donor Network West. DNWest is responsible for all phases of organ and tissue transplants, plus donor family support and community education. Cheryl and I are Donate Life Ambassadors, bringing the need for donor registration to high schools, employee groups, hospital staff inservices, and public events all over Northern California. This we do to pay forward Ruben's gifts  

This year's event will be unique in several ways. Earlier this year, I was extremely pleased to have reached a significant milestone; this past February marked 10 years since my heart and kidney transplant. I am reminded daily of the incredible gift Ruben gave me. It has enabled Cheryl and I to welcome our two beautiful granddaughters. We've done a bit of traveling, spent time with great friends, and been able to continuing our appreciation of what a truly wonderful family we have.

The significant changes to the 2020 edition of the Donate Life Run/Walk have to do with the horrible situation in which we find ourselves. Of course that is the onslaught of COVID 19. It became obvious to the planners that September would probably not come with enough relaxation of infection guidelines to be able to stage the event at a real location. So this year's Run/Walk will be held in the virtual world. While details are yet to be released, what is known is that participants can participate wherever they are, in the manner of their choice. It could be while on a neighborhood walk, a jog, an excercise machine, while doing home-based exercise, or, I suppose, playing air drums to a particularly energetic guitar solo (my personal choice). DNWest will be distributing swag as always, custom-designed for an event held in captivity.

The other disappointment for 2020 is that we won't be able to enjoy the hospitality of our great friends Cora and J. P. Metivier. The lunch we have enjoyed for many years is just not possible due to the Coronavirus. Cheryl and I again thank them for their tireless efforts in support of Team Ruben. 

Please consider joining and/or supporting Team Ruben by donating to Donor Network West in the name of my donor, Ruben Bernal, Jr. All of your generosity and participation assists the organization in its goal of facilitating all aspects of organ and tissue donation in Northern California and Nevada.

To access our team page, go to 5K.dnwest.org and follow the prompts to Team Ruben. Tell your friends and family!!