UCSF hosts "Celebration of Life" party

By Kristen Bole

* WHAT:
The UCSF Heart and Lung Transplant Program is hosting an annual “Celebration of Life” party for UCSF adult patients who have received heart or lung transplants. More than 50 patients and their families from throughout the greater Bay Area are expected to attend, along with UCSF transplant staff.

* MEDIA:
Members of the media are invited to cover. Refreshments will be served.

* WHEN:
Saturday, August 18, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

* WHERE:
Fisher Banquet Room, Mission Bay Community Center, 1675 Owens Street, UCSF Mission Bay Campus (Third & 16th streets), in San Francisco

* INTERVIEW & PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES:
Patients, their families and UCSF staff.

* CONTACT:
Media should contact Kristen Bole, UCSF News Office at 415-476-2557. On the day of the event, please contact Heart and Vascular Center Director Karen Rago on pager at 415-443-2488.

* DETAILS:
The UCSF Heart and Lung Transplant Program is at the forefront of transplantation research and serves some of the most complex cases. Established in 1989, the program recently performed its 200th heart transplant and performs more lung transplants than any other institution in Northern California for end-stage diseases, such as primary pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary fibrosis. California leads the nation in heart transplants, with 5,106 transplants to date out of 41,620 nationwide. For more transplant data, visit:

* ABOUT UCSF:
UCSF is a leading university that advances health worldwide by conducting advanced biomedical research, educating graduate students in the life sciences and health professions, and providing complex patient care.