Aspen Summit For Life 2008 Uphill Celebration Set For Dec 6

Aspen, CO – Mark your calendars now and start hiking this summer to get ready for the 3rd Annual Aspen Summit for Life Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008. The Summit for Life is an uphill snowshoe race and celebration of life to promote organ and tissue donation, benefiting the Chris Klug Foundation. “It’s a fun way to help raise awareness for organ and tissue donation and help support CKF’s educational outreach,” says liver transplant recipient and Aspen local Chris Klug. “It’s a great event for a great cause!”

Summit for Life will be a weekend of activities promoting awareness and education of organ and tissue donation. The weekend will be centered around the uphill race, which starts at the base of Aspen Mountain on December 6, 2008. Racers will climb 3,267 vertical feet over 2.5 miles from the base of Aspen Mountain to the Sundeck on top. Racers of all ages and ability levels are encouraged to participate. Prizes will be given to the top three men and women finishers and the top team. Awards will also be issued to the top three fundraisers.

“For me the event is a celebration of life because without on organ donor I would not be here today,” said Michael Wells. “This year is my 9th anniversary of my “Gift of Life” and what a better way to celebrate than a 3,500 foot hike straight up Aspen Mountain promoting organ donation awareness.”

The cost to register for the race is a $40 required registration fee on or before Friday, December 5th and $50 the day of the race. By registering you are also committing to raise $160 in requested pledges, however, there is a minimum of $60 in pledges required. This includes race support, aid stations, dinner at the Sundeck, live music, raffle, awards and a great racer-bag. Racers are encouraged to raise as much money as possible for a chance to win great prizes and support a noble cause. People who want to skip the hike but still want to be a part of Summit for Life have two options. “Ride for Life,” $60 buys you a ride on the Silver Queen Gondola to the summit to enjoy dinner, drinks and dancing at the Sundeck, or “Snowed In,” is a way to support Summit for Life from the comfort of your home, hotel or if you are out of town by donating to the cause. All support is welcome!

“With almost 100,000 people on the transplant waiting list, we feel that fun and educational events like Summit for Life will help us move towards our goal of eliminating “the Wait”, remarks Morgan Boys the Director of the Chris Klug Foundation. “Getting out, getting active, and having some fun are all part of the Chris Klug Foundation’s mission, and what better place than Aspen to hold such a fun night-time event!”

To register for the uphill race, donate to the cause or to learn more about Aspen Summit for Life 2008 visit: www.summitforlife.org or contact Holly by phone at (970) 274-0832 or by e-mail at Holly.Upper@gmail.com.

For more information about The Chris Klug Foundation check out: www.chrisklugfoundation.org