Two years ago, Kaidence Stephenson received a new heart. She was only 10 months old.

Now, with her bouncing blond braids and big blue eyes, she is part of a statewide initiative to prompt at least 9,000 people to sign up as organ donors this year.

"I want to help other children who are waiting for a new heart," she said.

On Saturday, which also happens to be National Make a Difference Day, Kaidence and representatives from several Utah organizations, including the Quest for the Gift of Life Foundation and the Utah Donate Life Coalition, will be trying to get as many people as possible to sign up for organ donation – perhaps setting a Guinness World Record – during a 9K run and .9-mile walk at Liberty Park.

"Nine is a special number, because one person can save nine lives through organ donation," said David Nemelka, president of the Quest for the Gift of Life Foundation. He has rallied support from all 10 colleges and universities in the state of Utah, to get as many students, families and friends as possible to sign up for what he calls the "gift of life."

The Guinness Book of World Records has accepted a proposal from the group to set the record for the most people to sign up as organ donors within an eight-hour period. The Utah groups are hoping to break an existing record that was set by 142 people at a rugby game in England in 2003.

"It's not often that someone has the chance to set a Guinness World Record," said Ryan Tripp, also known as the "Lawn-Mower Boy," after having ridden from Utah to Washington, D.C., on a lawn mower in 1997. He was raising money for a young Utah girl who needed a liver transplant at the time. Two years later, he mowed the lawns of every state Capitol to raise awareness for organ donation.

"I don't recommend sitting on a lawn mower for 42 consecutive days to set a world record," he said. "It will be much easier for someone to take 42 seconds to sign up as an organ donor. I wish someone would have told me that earlier."

The race begins 9 a.m. Saturday at Liberty Park, 900 South and 700 East, in Salt Lake City. Registration is available online at www.donatelifeutah.com. Child participants will receive a T-shirt and some bubble gum from Kaidence, and adults will get a race jersey.

Kaidence, who is still fighting for a normal life as she has a hard time talking and eating, is hoping all Utah children will join her to walk at the park. She will be leading the crowd, wearing a special shirt with the number 9 on the back, and will donate $5 from each participant to the Intermountain Healing Hearts organization so other children can receive a lifesaving transplant like she did.

e-mail: wleonard@desnews.com