WHO: The keynote speaker at this event will be Tiffany Christensen, who had two double lung transplants at UNC Hospitals and is the author of a book titled, "Sick Girl Speaks!" More information about Christensen is available at http://www.sickgirlspeaks.com/.

The event will also honor Howell Graham, who had a double lung transplant at UNC Hospitals 18 years ago and shares his anniversary with one other man for being the longest living lung transplant survivor.

The event is hosted by the Sweet Melissa Fund, which was founded in January of 2005 in memory of Melissa Alexander, a vibrant young woman who lost her battle with cystic fibrosis during her lung transplant surgery. The Sweet Melissa Fund provides financial assistance to lung transplant recipients and their families. Additional information is available at http://www.sweetmelissafund.org/.

WHAT: An evening of elegant dining and dancing (black tie optional), with a silent auction.

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4

WHERE: The Carolina Inn, 211 Pittsboro Street, on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

ABOUT UNC HEALTH CARE
The UNC Health Care System is a not-for-profit integrated health care system owned by the state of North Carolina and based in Chapel Hill. It exists to further the teaching mission of the University of North Carolina and to provide state-of-the-art patient care. UNC Health Care is comprised of UNC Hospitals, which is ranked among the top 50 in the nation in six specialties by U.S. News & World Report and ranked one of the country's 41 best on the Leapfrog 2007 Top Hospitals list; the UNC School of Medicine, a nationally eminent research institution; community practices; home health and hospice services in seven central North Carolina counties; and Rex Healthcare and its provider network in Wake County; and Chatham Hospital in Siler City.