CENTENNIAL, Colo., July 18, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --AlloSource, one of the nation's largest providers of skin, bone and soft tissue allografts for use in surgical procedures, and the world's largest processor of cellular bone allografts, is sponsoring Joey Gase, a NASCAR Nationwide Series Driver and donor son, in the NASCAR Nationwide Series EnjoyIllinois.com 300 race at Chicagoland Speedway on July 19. Gase combines his racing career with his passion for raising awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation by driving a unique racecar featuring photos of donors. Click to Tweet.
When his mother, Mary Jo Gase, passed away unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm, Gase, who was just 18 at the time, made the decision to donate her organs and tissue. The experience inspired him to use his racing career as a platform to promote organ, eye and tissue donation. AlloSource processed Mary Jo's tissue for transplant and it enhanced the lives of 59 people throughout the country and in Korea.
Gase's car will feature Dylan Richardson, a seven-year-old boy from Illinois who saved three lives through the donation of his heart, kidneys and liver. Gift of Hope, the Organ Procurement Organization serving Illinois and Southwest Indiana, coordinated the donation. The Richardson family often shares their story of how donation offered comfort during their time of unimaginable grief.
"Joey visited AlloSource earlier this year and we were so inspired by his dedication to organ and tissue donation that we wanted to sponsor him and help him promote donation awareness," said Thomas Cycyota, President and CEO of AlloSource. "We are grateful for the opportunity to honor Dylan and his family, whose generous decision to donate provided hope in the midst of an indescribable tragedy."
Gase currently sits at #20 in NASCAR Nationwide driver standings. The NASCAR Nationwide Series EnjoyIllinois.com 300 race at Chicagoland Speedway will be televised at 8:30 P.M. (Eastern Time) on ESPN2.
About AlloSource
AlloSource is a non-profit company that offers more than 200 types of precise bone, skin, soft-tissue and custom-machined allografts for use in an array of life-saving and life-enhancing medical procedures. As the world's leader in fresh cartilage tissue used for joint repair and skin allografts to heal severe burns, AlloSource has grown into one of the largest tissue networks in the country with more than 400 employees. It is the world's largest processor of cellular bone allografts and delivers unparalleled expertise and customer service to its growing network of surgeons, partners and the country's most reputable organ procurement organizations. As one of the leading innovators in maximizing tissue donation with the goal of offering optimal solutions for healthcare providers and their patients, AlloSource is recognized by the medical community for its ability to process and provide high quality tissue. The company is accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks and is headquartered in Centennial, CO. For more information, please visit allosource.org or our educational website, allograftpossibilities.org.
Media Contact
Megan Duggan
AlloSource
720. 382. 2766
mduggan@allosource.org
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140718/128678
SOURCE AlloSource
