NORTHBROOK, Ill. and ASPEN, Colo., April 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Astellas Pharma US, Inc., in partnership with the Chris Klug Foundation (CKF), is pleased to sponsor the second annual Bounce Back Award. Nominations are now being accepted for the award, which will recognize two transplant recipients who exhibit a great post-transplant quality of life, whether it is a career accomplishment, participation in a sport or hobby, or simply leading a fulfilling life with family and loved ones.

"The Bounce Back Award is about celebrating active and healthy lives post-transplant – as well as recognizing those who fully embrace their post-transplant lives," said Walt Johnston, Vice President of Marketing at Astellas. "We hope that our partnership with The Chris Klug Foundation will educate and encourage all transplant recipients in their post-transplant journey."

To nominate someone who is leading an active, healthy or inspiring post-transplant life for a Bounce Back Award, submit information here. Nominees should be transplant recipients and at least 18 years old as of April 1, 2015. Nominations are being accepted through April 30, which is also National Donate Life Month. 

"I was so honored to have been one of the recipients of the first Bounce Back Award," said 2014 winner and kidney recipient Barbara Breckenridge.  "It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for my granddaughter and we were able to be in beautiful Aspen and share time with Chris Klug, his family, CKF staff and volunteers. It was very exciting to be in the presence of so many individuals who share a passion about organ donation. My granddaughter and I both know that the process of organ donation and transplantation begins with education and awareness. The awesome work that the Foundation does benefits all who are in need of life saving organs. The Chris Klug Foundation can truly call themselves 'life changers.'"

Two Bounce Back Award winners will be selected by a team of CKF reviewers. The two honorees and one guest each will win an all-expense-paid trip to Aspen, CO for the award ceremony.  The award ceremony will take place over the Chris Klug Foundation's "Summit for Life" weekend and will include attendance at a nighttime, up-hill race on Aspen Mountain that expects 400 participants with proceeds benefitting CKF. The Bounce Back Award will be presented on December 5^th on top of Aspen Mountain after the race.

About Astellas Transplant
For more than 20 years, Astellas has supported the transplant community. And the Company continues to look for new ways to help transplant patients. That's why we created Astellas Cares — a program that offers resources, guidance and personal support for those on the transplant journey. Visit Astellas Cares at https://www.astellascares.com/transplant.

About Astellas
Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceuticals. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.us. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AstellasUS. Visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/AstellasUS.

About The Chris Klug Foundation
Founded in 2003, The Chris Klug Foundation is dedicated to promoting lifesaving organ and tissue donation and improving the quality of life for those touched by donation. Chris Klug was diagnosed with primary sclerosing chongalitis, a rare disease for which the only cure is a liver transplant. He received a liver transplant and went on to win a bronze medal in the 2002 Winter Olympics a mere 18 months post transplant. Soon thereafter, Chris started the Chris Klug Foundation. Learn more about the foundation at www.chrisklugfoundation.org

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SOURCE Astellas Pharma US, Inc.