On the third Monday of January, we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day and honor the activist and Baptist pastor Martin Luther King, who, in the mid 50’s, led the movement to end racial segregation and counteract prejudice in the United States through peaceful protest, becoming an icon, marking a before and after in the history of the United States through his legendary speeches.
I HAVE A DREAM
Martin Luther King dreamed of a future where people of different races could coexist harmoniously and equally in the United States and globally. His best known march was in Washington on August 28, 1963, where he gave one of his most incredible speeches that we all know as “I Have a Dream”. His words managed to transcend borders and earned him international recognition and respect.
“Today I say to you, my friends, that despite the difficulties of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the “American” dream. I dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We affirm these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.”
– Martin Luther King.
From this speech, civil rights laws were proclaimed, guaranteeing the right of free suffrage to all U.S. citizens without discriminatory restrictions. Thanks to his leadership, the civil rights movement opened the doors to education and employment that had long been closed to America’s black population.
Equity and Inclusion in the Field of Organ Donation and Transplantation
Donor Alliance, the nonprofit organization that facilitates organ and tissue donation for transplantation in Colorado and most of Wyoming, encourages communities to participate in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration. It provides residents an opportunity to celebrate his legacy and to start the conversation about the needs of our diverse communities, which includes the lifesaving and healing gifts of organ and tissue donation.
It is important to take into consideration how equity and inclusion are relevant and necessary factors to save and heal lives in communities that have not been prioritized in the past. The need for lifesaving organ transplants affects all communities regardless of race, age and sex. However, there is a far greater need for organ transplants among ethnic minority groups and, similarly, a prevalent need for more multicultural individuals to register as organ, eye and tissue donors.
Nationally, almost 60% of those on the waiting list are people of color. This is partly because some diseases that can lead to organ failure, such as diabetes and hypertension, are more prevalent among diverse communities. The highest percentages of populations waiting for a transplant are Hispanic, African American and Asian/Pacific Islander.
Those waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant are not matched based on race; however, transplant matches made within race groups can be even more compatible and successful. Donor Alliance remains committed to improving the quality of life of multicultural communities by creating a positive culture for organ and tissue donation.
2025 Updates on Equity Initiatives
In 2025, Donor Alliance expanded its outreach efforts to improve engagement with multicultural communities about the importance of registering to be organ and tissue donors to save and heal lives:
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- New Education Campaigns: Multilingual and culturally sensitive materials were distributed to address common myths and misconceptions about organ donation.
- Faith-Based Outreach: Collaborations with local religious leaders helped clarify support for organ donation within diverse faiths, fostering trust and understanding.
- Community Success Stories: Stories from recent transplant recipients of color were highlighted to inspire new registrations and demonstrate the life-changing impact of organ donation.
- Updates to Donor Alliance’s Transplantation Science Program: The free curriculum for 6th to 12th graders was recently updated for Spanish-speaking students. The program is an engaging, hands-on class about the science behind organ and tissue donation. The Transplantation Science Program will be offered in more languages for the 2025-2026 school year.
These initiatives align with Dr. King’s vision of equity, helping to close the gap in access to lifesaving transplants for historically underserved communities.
UNOS and OPTN: Champions for Equity in Organ Transplantation
In 2022, a milestone was reached in saving and healing lives. One million transplants were performed in the United States, which makes us wonder how we will reach the next million. This is why UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) continues to work hard to find solutions to make transplantation fair and accessible to all. They’re working to prioritize the medical needs of historically underserved groups of transplant patients.
New regulatory changes, coupled with ongoing research, promise fairer access to transplantation for African American kidney patients. HBCU’s (Historical Black Colleges or Universities) are collaborating with organ procurement organizations on a pilot program to increase physician diversity in organ donation and transplantation.
OPTN Board approves elimination of race-based calculation for transplant candidate listing.
In January 2023, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) began requiring kidney programs to assess their waiting lists and adjust wait times for any Black kidney candidates whose kidney function was overestimated due to use of a race-inclusive calculation.
The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measures kidney efficiency in removing creatinine from the blood, either directly or through estimated (eGFR) calculations. Some eGFR formulas include a race variable for Black individuals, potentially inaccurately suggesting higher kidney function. A recent board action mandates kidney transplant programs to identify Black candidates qualifying with race-inclusive eGFR, assess if a race-neutral eGFR would have qualified them sooner, and apply for waiting time modifications through OPTN.
The OPTN is committed to providing robust support to its members and transplant candidates by offering resource information and educational materials. To learn more, please visit the OPTN website.
Answering the Call for Equity This MLK Day
The need for organ donation affects all communities, but ethnic minority groups are more likely to need lifesaving transplants. Registering as an organ and tissue donor helps support our community and provides hope to nearly 1,300 people waiting for transplants. Tens of thousands more suffering from trauma, disease, or blindness could benefit from tissue transplants. Visit DonorAlliance.org for more information. For more information, please visit DonorAlliance.org.
The Importance of Diverse Donors: Closing the Gap in Minority Health
Achieving Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of a truly equitable society requires addressing the persistent health disparities in our nation, including those surrounding organ transplantation. On this upcoming Martin Luther King Day 2025, it is crucial to highlight the pressing need to bridge the gap in minority health.
Minority communities often face unique challenges when it comes to accessing life-saving transplants. Data from organizations like UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) and the OPTN (Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network) reveal that these communities frequently experience longer waiting times and reduced opportunities for compatible matches.
A key contributor to this disparity is the lack of diverse organ donors. Although organ allocation is not based on race, research demonstrates that matches within the same racial or ethnic groups are often more compatible due to shared genetic factors. For example, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans frequently encounter additional hurdles in finding a donor match because the donor pool does not adequately reflect the diversity of the patient population.
Promoting organ donation in minority communities is essential to closing these gaps in minority health. Increasing awareness and encouraging participation in organ, eye, and tissue donation programs can dramatically improve transplant outcomes for patients from underrepresented communities.
Myths and Misconceptions about Organ Donation
Many misconceptions about organ donation can deter people from registering as donors. It’s crucial to address these myths and provide accurate information.
Here are some common myths and facts:
- Myth: Organ donation is against my religion.
- Fact: Most major religions support organ donation as an act of selfless giving and compassion.
- Myth: Doctors won’t try as hard to save my life if I’m an organ donor.
- Fact: Medical professionals prioritize saving a patient’s life above all else. The medical team treating a patient is entirely separate from the transplant team.
- Myth: Only young and healthy people can be organ donors.
- Fact: People of all ages and backgrounds can be potential donors. Medical professionals determine eligibility at the time of death.
By dispelling these myths and promoting open conversations about organ donation, we can empower individuals to make informed decisions and help save lives.
Honoring MLK’s Legacy: A Call to Action This Martin Luther King Day 2025
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of a just and equitable society continues to inspire us to work towards a world where everyone has an equal opportunity for health and well-being. This Martin Luther King Day 2025, let us honor his legacy by taking action to address health disparities.
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Check the box and say “yes” to register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor: Visit DonorAlliance.org to make your decision today!
- Talk to your family and friends about your decision: Donor Alliance has heard from families that knowing their loved one’s decision provided them with comfort in a difficult time.
- Educate yourself and others: Learn more about the importance of organ donation and dispel myths within your community.
- Support organizations fighting for health equity: Donate or volunteer with organizations working to address health disparities and improve access to healthcare for all.
By taking these steps, we can help create a world where everyone has a fair chance at a healthy life, fulfilling Dr. King’s vision of a truly just and equitable society.
Donor Alliance will be presenting at the End-of-Life Conference at Notre Dame Catholic Church. Topics include End of Life Directives and Hospice Care, Funeral and Cemetery Planning, Charitable Giving, Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning while learning how organ, eye, and tissue donation can create a lasting legacy. A free lunch will be provided. Seating is limited, so reserve your spot today!
In 2009, Jason’s life took a dramatic turn. Once healthy and active, he found himself fighting for survival in just one month. What started as mild cold symptoms quickly worsened. After seeking medical attention, Jason was diagnosed with a rare strain of pneumonia. Within four weeks, his condition deteriorated further, leading to congestive heart failure—a life-threatening diagnosis.
To save his life, doctors implanted a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) in Jason’s chest. This device helped his weakened heart pump blood throughout his body. At the same time, Jason was placed on the waitlist for a heart transplant, becoming part of a community whose organ donation stories are filled with hope and resilience.
For nine challenging months, Jason relied on a LVAD to stay alive. The device required him to carry a computer at all times and frequently swap out batteries. Finally, in February 2010, Jason received the call he had been waiting for: a matching heart was ready. Just 12 hours later, he was in surgery, beginning a new chapter in his journey—a story that would inspire countless others as part of the larger tapestry of heart donor stories.
Jason’s recovery was remarkable. Within weeks, he regained his strength, and in the years that followed, he returned to full-time work and embraced life with his wife. Together, they enjoyed hiking, camping, live music, and more. Jason also accomplished a significant milestone by earning his Business Degree in Human Resources.
“Because of my transplant, I am alive,” Jason reflected. “And I couldn’t be alive without my donor. I’m thankful for every day I wake up and can honor my donor family by keeping their loved one’s memory alive—by staying strong and helping others whenever I can.”
Julia, a heart recipient from Thornton, Colo., embodies the transformative power of donor recipient stories. Thanks to the selfless decisions of two heart donors, she lives a life filled with purpose and possibility.
Born with dilated cardiomyopathy, Julia faced immense challenges from an early age. Her first heart transplant in 2008 gave her the chance to experience a fuller life. However, after multiple episodes of rejection, her transplanted heart began to fail. During her senior year of high school, after enduring four months on the waiting list, Julia received a second lifesaving heart transplant.
Before these transplants, Julia’s life was profoundly limited. She was tethered to a defibrillator and had to give up dancing, a passion that once brought her joy. Frequent doctor appointments and health struggles disrupted her education and made daily life a challenge. But with her recovery came new opportunities to embrace the activities she loved and rediscover her passions.
Now, Julia dedicates her life to honoring the generosity of her donors. She volunteers in her community, advocates for organ, eye, and tissue donation, and serves as President of CU-Boulder’s Student Organ Donation Advocates (SODA) chapter. Her story inspires others to consider the impact of heart donor stories and the incredible legacy they create.
Thanks to the gifts of her two donors, Julia is pursuing degrees in neuroscience, psychology, and molecular cellular and developmental biology at CU-Boulder. Her first donor, who had cerebral palsy, inspired her to study neuroscience and work toward improving the lives of individuals with similar challenges.
“No ‘thank you’ could properly display my gratitude for receiving such a gift,” said Julia. “Hopefully, through my actions, by living my most authentic life, and through giving back I can show my gratitude.”
Julia’s journey reminds us of the profound connections created through organ donation. Her story is a testament to the impact of donor recipient stories, highlighting how generosity and courage can transform lives.
Anna of Littleton, Colo., carries her husband Mike’s legacy of selflessness and love in her heart every day. Their story is one of faith, family, and the lasting impact of organ and tissue donation.
Mike was a registered organ, eye, and tissue donor whose generous spirit continues to inspire others in their community. Anna met Mike during her senior year of high school, and it was clear from the beginning that his life revolved around his family and faith.
In November 2021, Mike was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called pemphigus vulgaris. The journey to remission included grueling treatments that took a toll on his body. Yet, even in the face of adversity, Mike created precious memories with his loved ones. He played softball with his son, watched his daughter graduate from college, enjoyed a family cruise, and celebrated life with those who mattered most.
Mike passed away unexpectedly in 2022 after a heart attack. Although his organs could not be donated due to his medical history, his lifesaving and healing tissue gifts left an indelible mark on lives across the globe. His cornea traveled as far as Ireland, where it gave someone the precious gift of sight—a testament to the power of real-life organ donor stories.
“I sometimes think, ‘There’s someone out there who was given a gift because of him.’ His eyes are out there somewhere,” said Anna. “It’s a really comforting thought. I think of those people, whether I know them or not, that have a piece of him and how he has made their life better.”
Anna and her family are now passionate advocates for organ, eye, and tissue donation. Each year, they participate in the Donor Dash with their team, “Mike’s MVPs,” honoring Mike’s love for sports and his unwavering generosity.
By sharing Mike’s donor story, Anna hopes to raise awareness about the life-changing impact of donation and inspire others to have conversations with their loved ones about registering to become donors.
“It’s one of the best gifts you can give to your family as well as to the recipients who will ultimately receive that gift from you,” Anna shared. Clutching her necklace with Mike’s thumbprint, she added, “I know he’s smiling down on us. He’s beaming with pride, and he’s here with us.”
Real-life organ donor stories like Mike’s serve as powerful reminders of how one person’s decision can profoundly affect the lives of others, creating a ripple effect of hope and healing.
Strengthening Communities Through Donation: Aurora’s Inspiring Journey with the Donate Life Community Program
At Donor Alliance, we’re on a mission to create a culture where organ, eye, and tissue donation are celebrated as acts of life-saving generosity. We are a nonprofit dedicated to saving and healing lives through organ and tissue donation for transplantation in Colorado and most of Wyoming. Donor Alliance also manages the Donate Life Colorado and Donate Life Wyoming registries. The Donate Life Community program plays a vital role in our mission. The program empowers cities, organizations, and communities across Colorado and Wyoming to raise awareness, increase donor registrations and create a culture where donation is embraced.
This initiative is all about giving communities the knowledge and resources to make a real difference in the lives of those awaiting lifesaving and healing transplants. By working together, we can shorten the transplant waiting list and help those who have received an organ thrive. Our focus on organ tissue donation awareness is key to the success of this community donations program.
So, what exactly is a Donate Life Community? It’s any city, municipality, or organization that commits to supporting the cause of organ, eye, and tissue donation. By joining the program, communities pledge to educate their residents, employees, or members about the power of donation and inspire them to register to save and heal lives. Every organ donor, including living donors, has the potential to save and heal lives.
One community that’s truly leading the charge is the City of Aurora. As one of the
first municipalities in Colorado to join the Donate Life Community program, Aurora has embraced its role as a champion of donation awareness. Through their partnership with Donor Alliance, Aurora has launched a variety of inspiring initiatives to engage and educate their residents, fostering a culture of giving.
Aurora’s Impactful Journey with the Donate Life Community Program:
- Citywide Engagement: Aurora’s commitment began with strong leadership from local officials, including Mayor Mike Coffman, who recognized the importance of raising awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation. The city’s active participation in the program has sent a powerful message of solidarity with the life-saving cause.
- Creative Activation Events: Aurora’s residents have been able to engage in
donation awareness through creative, high-impact events. One of the highlights was the installation of a “Gift of Life” Box at the city’s Holiday Tree Lighting. This stunning ten-foot, lighted gift box drew thousands of attendees and served as a captivating photo opportunity while spreading the message of the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation. Additionally, Aurora integrated donation education into beloved community celebrations like Global Fest and the Dia De Los Muertos Festival, bringing awareness to thousands of diverse residents. - Meaningful Collaborations: Aurora’s dedication to inclusion has been shown through its partnerships with organizations like the Amigos de Mexico and the International Affairs and Immigrant Services Department. These collaborations allowed Donor Alliance to reach even more diverse communities, ensuring that all residents had access to critical information about the life-saving potential of organ and tissue donation.
Aurora’s proactive approach has set an inspiring example of how cities, organizations, and residents can come together to make a meaningful difference.
The waitlist does not wait. Currently, nearly 1,300 Coloradans and Wyomingites await a life-saving organ transplant. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people need tissue transplants due to trauma, disease, or blindness. Aurora’s efforts demonstrate the power of local action to address this urgent public health need.
We hope Aurora’s journey inspires you to take action. Whether you’re part of a city, organization, or community group, you too can become part of the Donate Life Community program and make an impact. By partnering with Donor Alliance, you can help raise awareness around the importance of registering to be an organ, eye and tissue donor to ultimately save and heal lives.
Ready to Join the Movement?
If Aurora’s story has inspired you, consider how your community can also take part in this life-saving initiative. Click here to learn how your organization can get involved and help raise awareness about the vital importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation. Together, we can strengthen our communities and give the gift of life to those in need.
In its continued dedication to saving and healing lives through organ and tissue donation for transplantation, Donor Alliance today presented the prestigious 2024 Community of Excellence Award to Eaglecrest High School in Aurora and its dedicated teacher, Niki Kigerl. The award, given annually, honors an individual or organization in Colorado or Wyoming that excels in inspiring and educating others about the importance of organ and tissue donation.