2006
Our 2006 Night at the Races was held at the Western Fair Raceway on Wednesday, May 24. As in previous years, the highlight of the night was a special “race to save lives” when local celebrities teamed up with transplant patients to pull the sulky with its driver in a 100-yard dash down the homestretch of the track. The night also included a full program of harness racing, a great buffet dinner and a silent auction. The Organizing Committee is grateful to all the individuals and businesses who donated many items, gift baskets and services! This year's proceeds are going to the Islet Cell Transplant Program at LHSC, which is currently under development.
Photo: Heart recipient and a London police constable were first to cross the green-ribbon finish line.
2005
All race programs at the 2005 Night at the Races included a donor card and a green ribbon, the international symbol for organ donation. For the first time, a silent auction was held, featuring items from transplant patients, transplant staff, and many businesses in our community. This year’s event was very successful as it highlighted awareness about the need for organ donation and the success of transplantation. The NewPL aired a segment that night, and the race was shown by simulcast to 65 racetracks and their fans across North America. Proceeds from this event will go to the Organ Donor Awareness Committee.
Photo: Heart recipient and a London firefighter celebrate their win with Dr. Patrick Luke.
2004
Almost 300 people attended the Night at the Races, held at the Top of the Fair, Western Fair Raceway, May 14, 2004. As well as enjoying the buffet dinner, those attending enjoyed watching all the races that evening as well as a special race to promote awareness about organ donation and transplantation. The track announcer did a wonderful job of interviewing the various participants and mentioning organ donation throughout the evening as a way to highlight this issue. Because the evening races were shown by simulcast, the race could be seen by people across North America.
Photo: Liver recipient and a London firefighter celebrate their first-place finish.
2002
The Transplant Awareness Committee, London Health Sciences Centre in cooperation with the Western Fair Raceway and the London Transplant Gift of Life Association presented the fourth annual "Race to Save Lives" on October 26, 2002. Organized by a group of dedicated volunteers and transplant staff, this year's program was enjoyed by all those attending. Transplant recipients and local celebrities worked in teams as they competed in pulling the driver and cart down the track.
1999
Win....place...show...was the theme of a night at the Western Fair Raceway, late in April, 1999. The entire night of racing was dedicated to raising awareness. Staff, families, recipients, and media were invited to dine and enjoy a night of fine harness racing. And, a special event, between the third and fourth race, became the highlight of the evening. Teams made up on a transplant recipient, a media person or personality and the harness driver raced approximately 100 metres.
Photo: The winning horse of each race was presented with a blanket.
