Please contact Kevin Monroe for all media requests prior to the April event at 562-822-9119 or email requests to arideacrossamerica@msn.com.
Troy Adams - (liver recipient family member) With a strong sense of family, community, and Christian upbringing, the 37 year old understands that racing is just one aspect of life. Racing has been in Troy's blood since the day he was born into his family's business, Adams Kart Track in Riverside, California. From karting championships to instructing at the world famous Richard Petty Driving Experience, Troy's life has been in the fast lane. His life had a change of direction when his family was touched by the need for donation. Tim, Troy's dad received a liver transplant in 2001, changing the family's life forever. "My dad is a recipient, so I know all too well the importance of organ and tissue donation," says Troy. "My dad's involvement with OneLegacy is the reason I got involved with the DLGP (Donate Life Grand Prix). Through the DLGP was how I met the Ride Across America team. The DLGP was a wonderful way to promote awareness in the community, but I'm looking forward to adding awareness throughout the country on my ride across America." Troy still happily resides in Riverside, loving the single life, and working hard to build the family business, and his new marketing company, Force 4 Communications Inc.
Brian Hinsley - (liver recipient) Brian Hinsley is a 48 year old firefighter paramedic with the Los Angeles County Fire Department who received a liver transplant 21 March 2000. Since then he has enjoyed his new life with his wonderful wife Kim and their 11 year old daughter Megan. Brian has participated in the past two United States Transplant Games. Brian is an original member of A Ride Across America and this will be his third ride. Brian travel across the United States speaking at conventions and meetings about his transplant experience which was chronicled in the PBS award winning documentary "No Greater Love".
Chris Klug - (liver recipient) Chris is Colorado Native and Aspen, Colorado resident. His passions are: surfing, kiteboarding, skateboarding, mtn. biking,and golf. Chris has created The Chris Klug Foundation (www.chrisklug.com, www.chrisklug.org) whose mission is to bring donor awareness to young adults. He has authored the book “To the Edge and Back” and is co -producer of the Documentary film “Ride of your Life”. In 1993, Chris was diagnosed with (PSC) Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, a rare liver disease affecting one in 10,000. After waiting seven years, Chris received a life-saving liver transplant in July 2000. Incredibly, he was back racing five months later. He is the first organ transplant recipient Olympic Medalist. Chris is a sixteen-year veteran of the Snowboard World Cup circuit. A 2002 Olympic Bronze Medalist in Salt Lake City and first ever organ transplant recipient to compete in the Olympics. He is an eight time US Professional National Champion and won back-to-back 2007 National Snowboarding Championships. He placed 6th in the 1998 Nagano Olympics. He was the 1997 US Open Champion and is four time World Cup Winner. In 2002 he was the recipient of Olympic Spirit Award.
He is the spokesperson for Saturn’s National Donor Day. Honored to light the torch and was the keynote speaker for the 2002 Transplant Games Opening Ceremonies. The Today Show’s Katie Couric proclaimed Chris’ official Olympic “National Donor Day” pin as the hottest pin of the Winter Games. His sponsors are Astellas, Saturn, Bolle, Aspen/Snowmass, Grandoe, Under Armour, Aspen Club and Spa, Specialized.
Brain Koontz - (kidney recipient family member) has worked for FedEx for over 12 years. He was a member of the 2004 "A Ride Across America" team. He has been married to Charis, Elliott's oldest daughter, for 19 years. They have 4 children.
Jeni McGirr - (heart recipient) Jeni received the gift of life on Sept 1, 2005. Single mother to 15 year old son Cody. Jeni really is a double blessed recipient. 7 years ago she was involved in a motorcycle accident which resulted in the loss of her left leg below the knee. Amazingly she still rides. Her positive attitude and zest for life is contagious and her overwhelming story is quite a joy to hear. Her infectious smile will surely bring one to your face. Jeni is also an Ambassador for OneLegacy in Los Angeles where she spends a lot of her free time speaking with high school students all over Southern California helping to inspire them to Donate Life by relating her story of illness and recovery after her heart transplant.
Greg Monroe - (diabetic, kidney recipient family member) retired from the Los Angeles Police Department after 27 years. He is currently working as a private investigator. Greg is Co-founder of A Ride Across America and is the Director of Transportation. He is married with 4 children and 8 grandchildren.
Jonathan Monroe - (recipient family member) Officer Jonathan Monroe has been with the City of Chino Police Department since 2005. He started his law enforcement career in 2003 as a police officer in City of Inglewood. He has a great working knowledge of Graffiti and is a member of the West End Graffiti Task Force. He was hand picked to serve on the West End Metal Theft Task Force, due to his prior experience in sheet metal and plumbing. He serves on the Chino Police Department K-9 Unit as an agitator. Officer Monroe’s dedication and high standards got him appointed to the Chino Police Department Recruitment Team. Officer Monroe’s training and experience has earned him two commendations from the Chief of Police in the short time he has been with the Chino Police Department. The most notable of these is the Life Saving Award he received in 2006. Officer Monroe was raised in the Chino area and is a graduate of Don Lugo High School. He has been married for eleven years and has five children, four girls and one boy. Outside of work Officer Monroe loves spending time with his family. He is a sports fanatic and loves riding ATV’s and motorcycles.
Officer Monroe is an ambassador for One Legacy and the Donate Life Coalition and has traveled the country promoting organ and tissue donation. Officer Monroe was touched by donation when his Uncle Kevin (living donor) donated a kidney to his Uncle Elliot. Such a great example of love and strength inspired Officer Monroe and opened his eyes to the Gift of Life. Officer Monroe learned of the great need for donors and is trying to do his part to educate as many people as he can. Officer Monroe was a team member in “A Ride Across America” in 2006. This experience allowed him to influence many lives, but the greatest influence was given to him by those who received the Gift of Life and their family members. Their courage, love, and perseverance are an inspiration and motivate him to continue in his efforts.
Kevin Monroe - (living kidney donor) Co-founder and CEO of Donate Life ATVs Across America, along with his brother Greg, Kevin is dedicated to increasing awareness on the need for organ and tissue donation. In 1998, Kevin donated a kidney to his older brother Elliott who was suffering from kidney failure. All three Monroe brothers (Greg, Kevin and Elliott) were ATV enthusiasts and spent a lot of time in the desert riding and camping with family and friends. They also took part in an annual "Mountain Man Marathon," riding in the back country of the Rocky Mountains, enjoying the beautiful scenery, sitting around the campfire and talking about doing a really "big ride" somewhere. However, as Elliott grew more ill, he was able to do less and less. Then, in October of 2001, at the age of 56, Elliott passed away. The brothers never did go on their "big ride". Greg and Kevin continued to ride ATVs and often thought about that ride they never took. “In September of 2002, as Greg and I were traveling to our annual ATV trip in the Rockies, we began talking about that big ride and how we should do one, in honor of Elliott. That's all it took,” says Kevin. “Before 20 miles had sped by, we had exchanged a flood of ideas. We would ride across the United States on ATVs and raise awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation.” In April of 2004 (National Donate Life Month), after 18 months of planning, a group of organ transplant recipients gathered at the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, Calif., started up their ATVs and departed for New York City. "What better way to turn a head a two our way than to ride the ATVs on the interstates? What a ride and what great people we met," says Kevin. Then in April of 2006, to continue their mission, they once again climbed aboard the ATVs and pointed them toward New York City. Different people, a different route, but we carried the same message: “Organ and tissue donation is needed now more than ever. We all have the power to save lives.” Kevin also serves on the Donate Life Rose Parade Float Committee and is on the Family Circle Advisory Board. He works for ConocoPhillips in Los Angeles. He has been married to Lis for 32 years and has four children and five grandchildren.
Renee Rhodes - (donor spouse) Resident of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana with 7 year old son, Taylor. Renee began volunteering for Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) in 2005 and started promoting donor awareness. In January of 2006 she joined LOPA as a part time employee. Her husband of 11 years, Travis passed away at the age of 33 while practicing in his race boat on August 6, 2003. Travis became a tissue donor and enhanced the lives of over 50 people. He enjoyed boat racing as well as riding four wheelers. Riding 4 wheelers was a very big part of Travis and Renee’s life. Renee started riding dirt bikes and 4 wheelers at the age of 7 and continues to enjoy it as an adult. Renee and her son Taylor enjoy riding together as often as possible. "Organ and tissue donation was always something very important to me and when my husband passed away - I knew what my answer would be when LOPA called. At a very tragic time in my life it was easy to say yes to donation. What better way to educate the community on such an important topic than riding cross-country on a 4 wheeler with such a great group of people! I am honored to ride in memory of my husband, Travis. It gives me great pride to say that he helped so many people." Renee also serves on the Donate Life Rose Parade Float Committee, the Louisiana Organ & Tissue Family Advisory Council as well as volunteering her time at her son's school.
Dan Sandoval - (blood donor) Dan is 41 years old and has been married to his wife Veronica for 10 years. They have four children Justin, Allison, Joshua and Victoria. Dan began donating blood about 20 years ago for a local radio station blood drive and continued to donate during his time in the Marine Corps. He began to donate on a regular basis after his nephew was diagnosed with leukemia about five years ago, he needed blood transfusions frequently so Dan did what he could to give him blood to replace the blood that he had used from the blood bank. Shortly after that a close friend of Dan’s needed blood for a surgery and so she asked him to donate for her and he gladly agreed. He is now two donations short of 3 gallons. He became involved with Donate Life and One Legacy after being chosen to represent blood donors on the 2007 Donate Life Rose Parade Float. "I met many amazing people while getting a life saving message out to the world. Having met these amazing people and shared their life changing stories, it has inspired and encouraged me and my family to get more involved with Donate Life."
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April 21, 2008 to May 4, 2008
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