For immediate release: April 7, 2006

Organ and Tissue Donor Taskforce and Harrah’s Reno host “A Ride Across America” All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Tour

Riders to drive home importance of organ and tissue donation during national Donate Life Month

Reno, Nev.—More than a dozen transplant recipients, donor family members and organ donors will make a stop in Reno on Sunday, April 9th as part of their cross-country “ A Ride Across America” ATV tour to drive home the importance of organ and tissue donation.

Volunteers of the Organ and Tissue Donor Task Force and Harrah’s Reno will greet the riders as they drive into the “Biggest Little City” under Reno’s famous arch at approximately 5 p.m. A reception for the riders will be held in Harrah’s Sapphire Lounge from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Raffle tickets for the $35,000 “pace” motorcycle accompanying the group will be available for purchase at the reception. Only 500 raffle tickets are available nationwide and all proceeds benefit “A Ride Across America.”

“A Ride Across America” was conceived in 2002 by living organ donor Kevin Monroe, of Lakewood, Calif. and his brother Greg Monroe of Chino Hills, Calif. as an homage to their brother Elliott, a fan of off-road adventures who succumbed to kidney disease.

“We look forward to once again inspiring people across the country to donate life,” Kevin Monroe explains. “‘A Ride Across America’ shows what families can do to support their loved ones and highlights how important it is for families to discuss the opportunity to donate organs. One person’s organs and tissue can benefit more than 50 people – what an incredible gift to give to those individuals, their families, and their communities.”

The ATVs have been outfitted and permitted for riding on traditional passenger highways. The vehicles and their entourage have been creatively designed for maximum visibility on America's highways. The team leaves from Seal Beach in Southern California on Saturday, April 8th and is expected to arrive in New York City on Friday, April 21st. For more information about the project visit www.arideacrossamerica.org.

April has been designated National Donate Life Month by the U.S Department of Health & Human Services to help raise public awareness of the critical need for organ, tissue, marrow and blood donation. Currently there are more than 90,000 people on the national organ transplant waiting list. Of the 90,000 people on the list, 17 die each day waiting for organs. Many hundreds of thousands more require donated tissues to prevent or cure blindness, heal burns, or prevent amputation. Nevadans wishing to make the commitment to donate life may register online at www.giftoflife.nv.gov.

Local sponsors of the “A Ride Across America” project include Sierra Eye and Tissue Donor Services, The Transplant Network, Harrah’s Reno, and the Organ and Tissue Donor Taskforce a program of the University of Nevada School of Medicine.

In 2000, Harrah’s Entertainment became the first casino company to adopt specific core principles that guide the way we treat our guests, employees and communities. These principles are called the “Harrah’s Code of Commitment.” Harrah’s Reno is committed to playing a vital and positive role in the community, making them vibrant places to live and work. Harrah’s Reno employees volunteer their time and services to more than 50 Northern Nevada non-profit organizations year-round. For more information on Harrah’s community involvement, visit www.harrahs.com.

As the state’s only public medical school, the University of Nevada School of Medicine has been meeting statewide healthcare, educational, and clinical needs since 1969. For more information, please visit www.medicine.nevada.edu.