Long Island TRIO 516-942-4940

TRIO Long Island Chapter PO Box 81 Garden City, NY 11530 www.litrio.org 516-942-4940

The Long Island TRIO Singers performed our nation's National Anthem on the field at the Ducks game on August 17, 2011 as we publicized the importance of organ donation.

The Long Island TRIO Singers performed our nation's National Anthem on the field at CitiField as we opened the Mets vs Phillies game on August 15, 2010. Our LI TRIO volunteers helped enroll fans in the Donate Life Registry.

The Long Island TRIO Singers performed our nation's National Anthem on the field at CitiField on August 19, 2009 as well. Our LI TRIO volunteers helped enroll fans in the Donate Life Registry.

LI TRIO Mike Sosna Webmaster Transplant Recipients International Organization

(below) Organ Donation Awareness Night at Citi Field-August 19, 2009

Organ Donor Awareness Night at Shea Stadium - July 22, 2008

For Immediate Release:

Contacts:
Mike Sosna, President
Long Island TRIO
Transplant Recipients International Organization
www.litrio.org
(516) 902-8111

Anne Keshner
On behalf of Astellas Pharma US, Inc.
akeshner@golinharris.com
(708) 790-3135

SHEA STADIUM EVENT DEDICATED TO DEMONSTRATING
THE POWER OF ORGAN DONATION TO SAVE LIVES

Transplant Recipients, Donor Families and Transplant Professionals Take the Field
to Urge Mets and Phillies Fans to Become Champions of Organ Donation

Deerfield, IL, July 22, 2008— With nearly 100,000 people across the country in need of a life-saving organ transplant, Astellas Pharma US, Inc. and Long Island TRIO (Transplant Recipients International Organization) are helping take the cause to the field by presenting “Organ Donation Awareness Night at Shea Stadium” during the New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies game on July 22. The event will also honor the thousands of donors and donor families across the United States who have already given the gift of life.

“One organ donor can save up to seven lives, while a tissue donor can improve twelve or more lives including actually restoring eyesight for another person,” said Mike Sosna, president of Long Island TRIO - Transplant Recipients International Organization. “Each day, about 77 people nationwide will receive the ‘gift of life,’ an organ transplant, but sadly 18 others will die waiting for a transplant. We hope that this event will encourage people to say yes to organ donation.”

At the game, representatives from Long Island TRIO and Astellas will hand out organ donation information and other materials to fans as they enter the stadium, as well as staff donor sign-up stations on each level of the stadium to provide attendees the opportunity to join the New York State Organ and Tissue Donor Registry at the game.

To join the registry, game attendees will complete and sign a short form that includes basic information (i.e. name, address and birth date) indicating that they would like to be listed in the New
York State Organ and Tissue Donor Registry maintained by the State Department of Health.

Information included on the form will also be shared with federally regulated organ procurement organizations and New York State-licensed tissue banks and hospitals.

“I encourage all those that join the registry to share your decision with your family and friends so they are aware of your wish,” said Charlotte Berlin, senior director of immunology at Astellas. “The decision to donate is the decision to give the gift of life.”

The facts* clearly illustrate the urgent need for more organ donors:

• Nearly 100,000 Americans are on the organ transplant waiting list.
• Every 12 minutes, another name is added to the national transplant waiting list.
• Each day, an average of 18 people die because there are not enough organs to save them.
• 90% of Americans say they support donation, but only 30% know the essential steps to become a donor.

About Long Island TRIO

The Long Island chapter of Transplant Recipients International Organization (LI TRIO) is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization committed to improving the quality of lives touched by the miracle of transplantation through support, advocacy, education, and awareness. For more information please visit www.litrio.org.

About Astellas Pharma US, Inc.

Astellas is a recognized leader in transplantation and has been committed to the field of immunology for more than 20 years. Dedicated to supporting the advancement of care for patients, Astellas continues to build upon its legacy and leadership in transplantation by investing in ongoing clinical research and new product development.
Astellas Pharma US, Inc., located in Deerfield, Ill., is a U.S. affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. The organization is committed to becoming a global category leader in focused areas by combining outstanding R&D and marketing capabilities. In the United States, Astellas markets products in the areas of Immunology, Urology, Anti-Infectives, Cardiovascular and Dermatology. For more information about Astellas Pharma US, Inc., please visit our Web site, www.astellas.com/us.
For educational information related to transplantation, visit the multi-award winning site www.TransplantExperience.com.
# # #

Kidney Disease Awareness Day at Shea Stadium-
Sunday, July 29, 2007 at 1:10 p.m.
Washington Nationals
Vs. New York Mets

The New York Mets, The National Kidney Foundation, Long Island TRIO and its supporters raised awareness for kidney disease at Shea Stadium on July 29th 2007.

The Long Island TRIO Singers performed the National Anthem on the field at Shea Stadium at this very special event promoting kidney disease and organ donation awareness.

The Mets have won every game every day or evening where the LI TRIO Singers have performed our nation's National Anthem from 2004-2007.

The LI TRIO Singers are appearing at a variety of sports and entertainment venues including "Madison Square Garden" and "Shea Stadium".

We are demonstrating that transplant recipients are active, productive people.

The LI TRIO Singers performed at "Shea Stadium" performing the United States of America's National Anthem at New York Mets games on July 29th, 2007, May 24, 2006, August 2, 2005 and July 21, 2004.

The LI TRIO Singers At Shea Stadium

May 2006

The LI TRIO Singers sang our nations's National Anthem at Shea Stadium on May 24, 2006 and there was an accompanying message stating the importance of organ donation.

"Here to sing the National Anthem are members of the Long Island Chapter of Transplant Recipients International Organization, also known as TRIO.

Trio is an all-volunteer group dedicated to spreading awareness of the need for organ and tissue donation. Over 90,000 Americans including 9,000 New York area residents are currently waiting for the gift of life.

Organ Donation Saves Lives! Sign up to be a donor!"

For the fourth year in a row, the METS won the game for which we sang the National Anthem.

http://newyork.mets.mhttp://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2007/07/29/uJl7NDnz.jpglb.com/images/2007/07/29/uJl7NDnz.jpg

The Long Island TRIO Singers' performance at The National Invitational Tournament at "Madison Square Garden" was an effective organ donation awareness event that has received excellent feedback.

Dr. Teperman( left) spoke to the fans at Madison Square Garden about the importance of organ donation.

Above: In order to increase organ donor awareness, The Long Island TRIO Singers performed at Madison Square Garden singing America's National Anthem at the National Invitational Tournament.

Transplants Recipients International Organization

MEDIA ADVISORY

Members of the Long Island chapter of the Transplants Recipients International Organization (TRIO) helped raise awareness for the need of organ donors, especially on Long Island. (Over 90,000 men, women, and children are waiting for organ transplants in the U.S. ) These TRIO members sang the National Anthem as a symbol of their hope to reach fellow Americans and raise their awareness of the critical shortage of organs.
TRIO is a non-profit all volunteer organization consisting of transplant recipients, donors, and candidates dedicated to increasing awareness for the need to increase organ donations. They also support families undergoing crisis of serious illness for families facing transplants.

From the desk of Walter Ruzek, LI TRIO Past President :

The Long Island TRIO singers have held several performances with Sue Tietjen conducting. A compact disc recording was created at TRIO Board Member Mike Sosna's

SOS PRODUCTIONS Studios in Port Washington, N.Y. www.sosproductions.com

www.sosproductions.com

Thanks to Mike Sosna and his beyond "State of the Art" facility and engineering skills, we have a first rate recording of the National Anthem for submission to the Mets. Mike's skills and studio really blew us away at the four-hour session.

Editor's note: The METS heard our CD and we performed at New York Mets games at Shea Stadium and Citifield every year from 2006 through 2010.

The LI TRIO Singers performed at "Shea Stadium" singing the United States of America's National Anthem at the New York Mets games on May 24, 2006, August 2, 2005, and July 21, 2004.

July 21, 2004- Shea Stadium, New York City

More Shea Stadium photos here

The LI TRIO Singers performed the National Anthem at the Long Island Ducks Citibank Park baseball games in September 2004 and on August 11, 2005.

The Long Island Ducks were the 2004 Atlantic League Champions!

These two evenings helped spread the positive message of organ donation.

July 26th, 2003- The singers performed the National Anthem at the NY POWER -Women's Pro Soccer Team!

In order to increase organ donor awareness, The Long Island TRIO Singers again performed at Madison Square Garden singing America's National Anthem at the National Invitational Tournament.

Additional Performances:

Opening for the Summer Series Concert Series

August 3 " Illusion Show" at Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre in Eisenhower Park.

August 18 "Big Band Night" at Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre Concert Series in Eisenhower Park.

The TRIO Singers performed the National Anthem prior to
the "Oldies Concert" at Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre in Eisenhower Park.on July 27.

The NY Mets have asked us to go ahead with our plans to sing at Shea, so the singers have cut a recording for approval. Genie Swinson is a lead vocalist and transplant recipient who will sing with us. She joined us at SOS PRODUCTIONS in the studio peforming and recording "The National Anthem". We have other fine singers signed up as well.
We want to stress that you do not need to be a professional or experienced singer but you do need to make a commitment to attend the rehearsals. We have also had a few candidates and living donors wishing to join and we welcome them as well. Once we have an established ensemble, you will not need to attend every event, although a minimum participation level will be set. Sign up to be part of this wonderful experience and opportunity to make people aware of the success of transplantation!

E-Mail Tree litrio@gmail.com

LI TRIO Webmaster: Mike Sosna

email comments mike@sosproductions.com