Mayor in Relay Event for Organ Donation
Ventura Mayor Sandy Smith will participate in a national marathon relay event today to encourage residents to become organ donors.
Smith will run in the Millennium Mayorthon, which began April 16 in San Francisco. A baton will be passed by mayors representing nearly 1,000 cities and towns and will cross 21 states until it reaches Washington, D.C., in September.
More than 12,000 California patients are on waiting lists for organ and tissue transplants, organizers said.
“It’s something that all human beings need to step up and take responsibility for,” Smith said.
During the marathon, mayors can drive, jog, skate, ride a bike or walk to the next relay point. Smith said he plans to walk and jog a short distance.
“I am in no shape to get to Oxnard running,” he said.
Smith will take the baton at 3:20 p.m. in front of City Hall, 501 Poli St., before handing it over to Mayor John Heilman of West Hollywood.
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