CKF Awards

Awarded to three trailblazers in the transplant community.

The CKF Awards replaced the Bounce Back, Give Back Awards. Now, we recognize 3 members of the donation and transplantation community with our Hero Award, Bounce Back, Give Back Award, and Community Champion Award. These individuals are lights of the donation and transplantation community and strive to promote organ, eye, and tissue donation. They have achieved incredible accomplishments and blaze the way for those in the community and beyond. 

Nominations for the 2025 CKF Awards will be opening on February 1st, 2025 and remain open until April 1st!

Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors!

Silver Sponsor

Weihs Family

Gold Sponsor

To Be Confirmed

Bronze Sponsor

CKF Awards Categories

  • Hero Award

    The winner will be someone who has helped change or save someone’s life. They could be either a donor or an individual who chose for their loved one to become a donor when they passed. They may even be a donor family member who was inspired by a family member’s decision to become a donor. The winner’s journey will be inspiring and encourage others to register as donors. The recipient of this award will be a strong advocate for organ, eye, and tissue donation, and help others to decide to save lives.

  • Bounce Back, Give Back Award

    The winner will be an individual who has received an organ, eye, or tissue transplant. The award recipient will not only have bounced back from their transplant, but they will also be someone who works to give back to the community. They live a healthy and active lifestyle and work to support others going through the transplant process. They will have achieved greatness by inspiring and motivating others to thrive post-transplant.

  • Community Champion Award

    This award is open for anyone in the transplant community, whether a caregiver, transplant doctor or nurse, hospital or OPO staff member, or a community advocate. They will be an example to others in the community, and support those undergoing the transplant or donation process. They will also advocate for organ, eye, and tissue donation, and promote living a healthy and active lifestyle post-transplant.

CKF Awards Prizes

The three winners and one guest each will win a trip to Aspen, Colorado, for the Chris Klug Foundation’s annual Wine & Dine gala event.

CKF will host the winners and their guests in Snowmass Village and provide flights, lodging, and tickets for all Wine & Dine weekend events.

Award winners will be honored at Wine & Dine and given the opportunity to share their stories with event attendees.

CKF Awards Nomination Rules

Click the button below for rules and regulations.

Meet Our Previous CKF Awards Winners!

The Chris Klug Foundation is proud to present our 2024 Hero Award, Bounce Back, Give Back Award, and Community Champion Recipients:

Abby Gray
2024 Community Champion Winner


Denise Redeker
2024 Bounce Back, Give Back Winner

Mark & Lynn Scotch
2024 Hero Winners

The Chris Klug Foundation is proud to present our 2023 Hero Award, Bounce Back, Give Back Award, and Community Champion Recipients:

Maria Fernanda Filizola
2023 Community Champion Winner


Dave Galbenski
2023 Bounce Back, Give Back Winner

Katrina Fountain
2023 Hero Winner

The Chris Klug Foundation is proud to present our 2022 Bounce Back, Give Back Award Recipients:

William “Bill” Soloway

Jen Lentini


The Chris Klug Foundation is proud to present the 2021 Bounce Back, Give Back Award Recipients:

Jim Gleason

Zach Brooks


The Chris Klug Foundation is proud to present the 2020 Bounce Back, Give Back Award Recipients:

Joelle Atkinson

Tracy Copeland


The Chris Klug Foundation is proud to present the 2019 Bounce Back, Give Back Award Recipients:

Derek Fitzgerald

Lauren Shields


The Chris Klug Foundation is proud to present the 2018 Bounce Back, Give Back Award Recipients:

Brian Hinsley

Samantha Rick


The Chris Klug Foundation is proud to present the 2017 Bounce Back, Give Back Award Recipients:

Jim Brien

Valen Keefer