Walkers start their journey as they converse with one another in this family festival style 1k walk. Photo by Daniel Purnell, Clarion. 
Runners show their support for those who choose to donate their soft tissue after passing by wearing custom shirts while they run in the event.Photo by Daniel Purnell, Clarion. 
Fastest runner Luis Guitirez for the 5k just crossed the finish. Photo by Daniel Purnell, Clarion. 
Many share words as they remember those who are no longer here. Photo by Daniel Purnell, Clarion. 
Mary Pope helped three lives by donating her liver, both kidneys, and pancreas. Photo by Daniel Purnell, Clarion. 
Mary Pope Friends and family walk in her honor, pictured include her kids Travis and River and sister Shannon Morris. Many share words as they remember those who are no longer here. Photo by Daniel Purnell, Clarion.
On Saturday, April 25th, the campus of Azusa Pacific University hosted a 5K run walk that is not your normal 5K. People gather to celebrate life, both in the person who is no longer here and also the people who were saved because of those who were helped by donating organs, eyes and tissue.
One of many stories is that of Mary Pope, who helped three separate families with transplants they needed. Now, over a decade later, the family still gathers together at the One Legacy 5K every year. Mary Pope’s two sons, Travis and River, look forward to the event every year as a way to come together and see family and to them the event is a way to honor the memory of their mother.
There are countless stories about how one father’s transplant saved a son in another family, and they now get together for Easter and holidays every year. One volunteer at the event, who first came after their loved one donated their soft tissue, explained how hard it was the first year at the event after their loss, but now they enjoy the experience and recommend others to go and experience it, meet people, hear their stories and see what registering as an organ donor can do for the community.
