Figure skater Hillary Schieve has signed with HOPE SPORTS, (an organization
that promotes help in cause-related issues through sports) to promote organ donor
awareness through a series of campaign posters, ads, and even a HOPE CARD (the first
organ recipient and donor card.)
Schieve was training at the Broadmoore Ice Arena in Colorado Springs with Carlo Fassi, when she first showed signs of kidney and heart failure which caused her to give up figure skating. Schieve was living on a dialysis machine two years ago until April 1995, when her younger sister, Amanda donated one of her kidneys to save Hillary's life.
Schieve, 25, returned to the ice after a seven year absence to compete at the 1996 Adult National Figure Skating Championships in April, taking a silver medal over 75 competitors in the artistic event and a bronze in the masters ladies event. Hillary attended the competition to show support for National Organ Donor Awareness Week.
Schieve is the first transplant recipient to have ever taken a national title in competitive sports.
"I want people to see how successful transplants can be through my skating and urge people to sign a organ donor card," says Schieve.
Currently in the United States statistics show that 8 - 10 people die daily waiting for an organ transplant.
Hillary currently pursues her skating under the direction of Charlie Tickner in the San Francisco area. Hillary and her sister Amanda are writing a book about their story and will be featured in Women's World Magazine in January, 1997.
For further information on HOPE SPORTS, Inc and your free HOPE CARD please contact Margaret Montgomery, HOPE SPORTS 1-800-550-0544 .
Or write to:
Hope Sports
1547 South Virginia, Suite # 4
Reno, Nevada, 89509phone: (702) 826-8253.
