Transplant patients in Philadelphia got to celebrate the donor families who give the gift of life during a special walk at Penn Medicine on Wednesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Patients, families and members of the Penn transplant team came together to show gratitude with the annual Donor Dash.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shawn Frame, 49, who had a liver transplant five days ago, wanted to be part of the event that’s designed to celebrate donor families\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I think it’s great to spread awareness,” Frame said.<\/p>\n
Gift of Life cosponsored the Donor Dash for patients.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“This is just an opportunity for us to celebrate patients and really provide hope,” said Rick Hasz, with Gift of Life.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bill Soloway, 60, who had a heart transplant at Penn in 2015, said he visits patients on the transplant floor when he comes back for checkups.<\/p>\n
“It’s been quite a journey, but it’s thanks to people that say yes to organ donation that give people like me a second chance at life,” Soloway said.<\/p>\n
Soloway’s heart came from James Zimmerman, who died in an accident. Soloway was able to meet his donor’s dad, Jim.<\/p>\n
“He felt like family right from the beginning,” Soloway said.<\/p>\n
They say they’re now bonded for life \u2014 in spite of little Pennsylvania rivalry<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Soloway is an Eagles fan, and Jim Zimmerman roots for the Pittsburgh Steelers. \u00a0<\/p>\n “It’s a nice rivalry, and we enjoy going to the games together,” Soloway said. “We like to give each other ribbings. I’m glad our Eagles are much better than the Steelers.”<\/p>\n Wednesday’s event was for patients who are hospitalized and not able to attend the big\u00a0Donor Dash on April 26 at the Navy Yard<\/a> in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n \n More from CBS News\n <\/p>\n