Press Release

The Chris Klug Foundation (CKF) would like to announce the winners, and runners-up of their 2022 Bounce Back Give Back Awards. The annual award recognizes two organ transplant recipients who exhibit an outstanding quality of life post-transplant, whether through career accomplishments, participation in sports or hobbies, or simply leading fulfilling lives with their family and loved ones.

“The Bounce Back, Give Back Award inspires transplant recipients across the country and encourages individuals to register as organ donors to save lives” Anna Morgan-Palardy Program and Communications Coordinator at CKF. These individuals have not only shown the determination to bounce back from transplantation but a passion for giving back to the transplant community and helping others through the process. 

CKF received 34 nominations representing individuals from 11 states for this year’s award. The CKF board reviews all of these applications deciding on two award winners. These two honorees will enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to Aspen with one guest each for one of our annual celebration of life events. Winners will be honored during the summer Wine and Dine event, an evening of sensational wine, delicious food, and fabulous music in honor of organ donation. The winners will also be honored at our annual Summit For Life in December, where athletes from all over the United States take on Aspen’s 3,267 vertical feet in a race to the top!

Westport, CT, local Dr. Karin Hehenberger was among the three runners-up for this year's award. CKF is honored to acknowledge and celebrate Karin’s dedication to the transplant community across the country. 

Just before her 17th birthday Dr. Hehenberger was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D); she continued with her life with this diagnosis becoming an executive with Johnson and Johnson responsible for Metabolic strategy. However, in 2008 her diagnosis caught up with her, and it became apparent that she would need a kidney transplant. So in 2009, Karin’s father donated his kidney to her saving her life! Dr. Hehenberger joined the leadership team of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation after her transplant with two goals in mind. One to improve the quality of life for T1D patients and two to find a cure for T1D. In 2010 her health began to fail again until she received the gift of life through a pancreas transplant from a deceased donor. 

Before her transplant, Karin represented Sweden in several European Tennis Competitions. Though her health dashed her dreams of playing professional tennis, she continues to play regularly, ensuring she keeps a happy and healthy post-transplant. Dr. Hehenberger has been in the healthcare industry for over 15 years, working to advance the healthcare system and help support those with chronic illnesses. She is the scientific advisor to the CEO of Helsinn and sits on the boards of the Lighthouse Foundation and the Rolf Luft Diabetes Research Foundation. 

Dr. Hehenberger founded Lyfebulb to reduce the burden of chronic disease through the power of the patient. Lyfebulb focuses on three areas, connectivity, education, and innovation, to help patients through the process of chronic disease. Karin and her team recently launched TransplantLyfe, which holds educational seminars and provides a support network for those within the transplant community. Dr. Hehenberger has been a keynote speaker at numerous national and international conferences and events, including being a featured speaker at the annual Nobel Symposium at the Karolinska Institute. 

Karin will represent the Chris Klug Foundation as a Patient Ambassador visiting transplant centers, schools, colleges, and more and help further the cause of organ, eye, and tissue donation. CKF is honored to be celebrating Dr. Karin Hehenberger and the other transplant recipients nominated for this award. To learn more about CKF’s 2022 Bounce Back Give Back Award Winners, follow us at @chrisklugfoundation or head to our website www.chrisklugfoundation.org.