Chris Klug Foundation

Background Statement

The Chris Klug Foundation (CKF) is at the forefront of the fight against the wait by raising awareness. Founded in 2003, the foundation has worked to inspire and educate individuals across the US to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors for the last 20 years.

Chris was a healthy twenty-one-year-old when, after a routine physical, he was suddenly diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), a rare degenerative bile duct condition. Chris was placed on the transplant waitlist in 1994 and spent six years waiting for a lifesaving liver transplant. On July 28th, 2000, Chris’ prayers were answered when he received his liver transplant, an act made possible by the heroic and selfless decision by a 13-year-old boy's family.

After his transplant, Chris promised himself and the world that he would always work to raise awareness for donation and show what is possible post-transplant. Chris has done just that. After only six weeks, he was back on his snowboard, proclaiming, “It was like a new engine was dropped in me!” In 2002, the country took notice as Chris became the first transplant recipient to compete at the Winter Olympic Games, and he even did one better by winning a bronze medal!