The Chris Klug Foundation (CKF) announced on June 9 that Kristen Cowan as its 2026 Hero Award winner. This award recognizes Cowan’s impact in the transplant community and how her actions have helped to change the lives of those in the community.

The Hero Award honors an individual whose journey inspires others to register as donors and to make lifesaving decisions. Recipients include living donors and donor families, who have made an impact in the transplant community.

Cowan, a Katy resident, is a donor mother who took the loss of her 14-month-old son, Rylen, and created a purpose. In the midst of heartbreak, she and her husband made the decision to donate their son’s organs. This decision gave others a second chance at life they wouldn’t have otherwise had.

Rylen’s story didn’t end there. Cowan committed herself to sharing his story and the power of donation. Through continuous outreach, she has helped other families to understand the power of saying yes to organ donation. Cowan founded the Smilin’ Rylen Foundation, an organization focused on raising awareness about organ donation and supporting families during crises. The annual Smilin’ Rylen Run brings the community together to celebrate life and raise awareness about donation.

Through her dedication and resilience, Cowan has been the embodiment of the spirit of the Hero Award, the organization said in its announcement. Awards will be presented on August 28 at “Wine and Dine for Life” in Aspen, CO.

About the Chris Klug Foundation (CKF):

The Chris Klug Foundation was founded in 2003 by Olympic snowboarder and liver transplant recipient Chris Klug. The foundation is dedicated to raising awareness about organ, eye, and tissue donation and improving the quality of life for donors, recipients, and their families. Through dynamic storytelling, educational outreach, and impactful events, CKF empowers individuals to register as donors and support the transplant community.