Kelly Zirbes on Swoop’s World Primetime

Today, March 10, 2011 at 4:00pm/PST on Swoop’s World Primetime, our guest is Kelly Zirbes.

After 4 years of raising awareness of hepatitis C through an annual concert held in Yorba Linda, CA, Kelly Zirbes and Terri Eden have decided to focus this year’s event on organ donor awareness. The 5th annual concert is dedicated to Terri’s husband Pat Eden, who lost his battle with hep C and was never eligible for a liver transplant.

Hepatitis C is the leading cause for liver transplants which makes organ donor awareness an important part of the HepCAware campaign. More than 110,000 people need life saving organ transplants in the United States. Each day, on average, 18 people die in the United States because of the shortage of organ donors and every 11 minutes, a new name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list.

While Terri started talking to her community about the concert, Kelly reached out to organizations that focus on some of the causes that create the need for organ transplants. The National Kidney Foundation jumped on board by providing information about the causes that lead to kidney failure and transplants. Donate Life, who is heavily involved in national donor awareness campaigns and organ donor registration, agreed to provide important information for the concert goers. Other organizations supplying information are The American Red Cross, The Caring Ambassadors Lung Cancer Program and The American Liver Foundation who will make available facts about fatty liver disease and it’s connection to liver transplants.

Recently Kelly reached out to The American Heart Association who was happy to supply information on Heart Disease, Diabetes and Strokes. A Gift Of Heart, a local organ donor and recipient support group, will speak at the event and provide information on their future meetings.

The concert will feature recording artists Debra Davis, The GGandS Group, Acoustic Conversation, Elnora and Sumpkin Cookin, Elizabeth Hangan and Kelly’s Lot.

The free event takes place on Saturday March 12 from 5-10pm at The Main Street Restaurant 4902 Main St in Yorba Linda, CA. Sponsors include Stella Artois, Legacy Learning Systems, Mariner’s Escrow Corporation, Amica Salon and The Los Angeles Blues Society. For more information about the event please contact Kelly Zirbes at 818-769-2701 or hepatitiscaware@aol.com