NORTHBROOK, IL., and ASPEN, CO., May 24, 2016 – Astellas, in collaboration with the Chris Klug Foundation (CKF), today announced its sponsorship of the third 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 educating and encouraging all transplant recipients in their post-transplant journey,” said Margaret Long, vice president of business communications and stakeholder engagement at Astellas. "For more than 20 years, Astellas has supported the transplant community through programs like the Bounce Back Award and Astellas Cares  — a program that offers resources, guidance and personal support for those on the transplant journey.”

To nominate someone who is leading an active, healthy or inspiring post-transplant life for a Bounce Back Award, submit application here (www.chrisklugfoundation.org/BBA). Nominees should be transplant recipients and at least 18 years old as of May 19, 2016. Nominations are being accepted through Friday, June 24 at 5pm EST.

“It was such a privilege to be in Aspen, with people with such passion, heart and desire to promote organ donation,” said 2015 winner and kidney recipient Edward Drake.  “It was such an amazing event, but the message and cause that the Chris Klug Foundation is producing to promote organ and tissue donation is wonderful. They are saving lives, why not come out to Aspen to have a good time while saving lives?”

A team of CKF reviewers will select two Bounce Back Award winners. The two honorees and one guest each will win an all-expense-paid trip to Aspen 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 3 on top of Aspen Mountain after the race.

About Astellas
Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.us. You can also follow us on Twitter at @AstellasUS, Facebook at www.facebook.com/AstellasUS or LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/astellas-pharma.

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