Reno Aces' Aug. 11 game will honor the legacy of local 9-year-old organ donor, Lizzy Hammond

RENO, Nev. (Aug. 8, 2023) — Elizabeth “Lizzy” Hammond died after a tragic accident when a bounce house, with her inside, was blown into electric power lines in July 2019. The Hammond family decided to donate Lizzy’s organs after she spent days in the hospital on life support and her gifts of life saved three lives.

As Donor Network West ambassadors, Lizzy’s parents, Wendy and Mitch Hammond, raise awareness of the importance of organ donation by sharing Lizzy’s story and her legacy of volunteerism and generosity. They also started the Lizzy Hammond Foundation, which promotes awareness and education for bounce house safety.

The Hammonds and their two young children, Danny and Abby, will round the bases during the second inning at the Reno Aces’ Home Run for Life game, presented by Donor Network West, Friday, Aug. 11, at Greater Nevada Field as the Reno Aces take on the Salt Lake Bees.

“Lizzy was always helping other people. She volunteered, helped other kids in her class and had a very generous spirit,” said Wendy Hammond, Lizzy’s mother.

“Knowing how caring she was helped us make the decision to give the gift of life because it’s something we knew she would’ve wanted,” said Mitch Hammond, Lizzy’s father.

One donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and heal up to 75 lives through tissue donation.

Donor Network West, northern Nevada and northern California’s only federally designated nonprofit organ procurement organization, is proud to support six Home Run for Life baseball games during the 2023 Aces’ season. In its second year, the partnership brings critical awareness about organ donation to the northern Nevada community and its sports fans. This is the fifth Home Run for Life game of the 2023 season.

“Lizzy’s gifts and kind spirit gave three people a second chance at life,” Janice Whaley, president and CEO of Donor Network West, said. “On behalf of Donor Network West, I extend my deepest gratitude to the Hammond family and to our community’s donor families for their decision to save and heal others. It’s a privilege to honor northern Nevada’s donors with our Reno Aces partners in such a meaningful way.”

Once a month, the Home Run for Life game series features an individual in the northern Nevada community who is honored by taking a ceremonial trip around the bases as each team lines the baselines. Individuals recognized have received life-saving transplants or have lost a loved one who saved lives through organ donation.

“Donor Network West provides critical services in our community and it’s rewarding to be able to partner with them to highlight the impact of organ, eye and tissue donation,” Chris Phillips, general manager and chief operating officer for the Reno Aces said. “Honoring our community’s organ donors and their families on the field has created some of the most impactful moments of the season and we look forward to continuing our Home Run for Life game series.”

Anyone can register to be an organ donor. To learn more and to join the organ donor registry, visit DonorNetworkWest.org.

— @MyDNWest —

Media note: If the media would like an interview with Wendy and Mitch Hammond in advance of the Friday, Aug. 11 Aces game, please contact [email protected]. Photos of Lizzy Hammond are available for download here.

Photo cutline: Local 9-year-old Lizzy Hammond died in 2019 after a tragic accident and saved three others through organ donation. Her family will represent Donor Network West during the Reno Aces ‘Home Run for Life’ game Friday, Aug. 11 at Greater Nevada Field to encourage others to consider joining the organ donor registry.

About Donor Network West

Donor Network West saves and heals lives by facilitating organ and tissue recovery for transplantation and research. Established in 1987, Donor Network West is designated and certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), is a member of the Organ Donation Alliance and is an official Donate Life organization. Donor Network West is federally designated to serve 45 counties in northern California and northern Nevada, Donor Network West partners with the Department of Motor Vehicles and the state-authorized donor registries to help increase donor registration. For information, visit www.DonorNetworkWest.org and follow us on social media: @mydnwest.

About the Reno Aces
Since 2009, the Reno Aces, Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, has been a fixture in the northern Nevada community providing family-friendly entertainment and Minor League Baseball in downtown Reno at Greater Nevada Field. Over the past 14 years, over 4.5 million fans have passed through the turnstiles, and the Aces have contributed to thousands of different non-profit charities throughout the region. For more information about the team or tickets for the entire 2023 season, visit RenoAces.com or Text TIXX to 21003.