The Northeastern Pennsylvania Transplant Support Group Inc. recently held its fifth annual volunteer awards dinner at the Stroudsmoor in the Ridgecrest building.

    The guests of honor were Patti Delone, east regional manager, and Lee Downing, sales representative for this area, both employed by the Fujisawa Healthcare Corporation.

    Downing received an award in "Unparalleled Diligence in Transplantation" and Delone accepted the award for Fujisawa "Leadership in The Field of Transplantation."

    Howard Kindred Sr. (founder and CEO of NEPATSG) said, "There is so much negative press about the pharmaceutical companies, we wanted to help the public be made aware of the positive side, which is the grants received from Fujisawa that helps keep our organization assisting and educating the transplant community with our many programs."

    "Also with Fujisawa's discovery of Progaft (anti-rejection medicine), many liver transplants today would not be possible, including my own." President John K. Dougan presented other awards:

Xi Zeta Psi, Stroudsburg, "Exceptional Contribution to Transplant Candidates and recipients," for donation of $1000.

Pocono Medical Center "Community Education of Donor Awareness and Hepatitis C."

Daniel Duprey MD, "Invaluable Leadership To Our Organization"

Johnathan Goldner DO, "Direct involvement in Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Education."

Natale Falanga MD, "Supporting Education of Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness."

Donald R. Biffen DMD, "Supporting Education of Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness."

Gift of Life Donor Program, "Invaluable Assistance To Our Organization."

This story appeared on Page - B2, Monday, January 22, 2001 in the Pocono Record.