Phil of Denver knows the profound uncertainty of waiting for a lifesaving transplant. His journey began when he faced the sudden and devastating onset of liver and kidney failure, a shocking reality that thrust him onto the transplant waitlist. But throughout the darkest moments, his Catholic faith became a wellspring of strength, offering him peace when everything else felt uncertain.
“You start to gravitate to those things that provide you peace and strength,” Phil reflected, acknowledging how deeply his faith carried him during those long, uncertain months. It was a lifeline.
Then, one phone call changed everything. After a series of ups and downs with his health, Phil received the miraculous news that he was finally going to receive a liver transplant. The moment was beyond words. “It’s hard to articulate what that moment feels like. It’s the best news anyone could’ve told me,” he said, his voice filled with emotion. “I honestly thought I wouldn’t get this chance.”
Looking back now, Phil can only feel overwhelming gratitude. He’s deeply thankful for the gift of life that he nearly lost. “Last weekend, I was sitting with my family watching a movie together… I would’ve been gone. That’s what I really appreciate,” he shared. A simple moment, now cherished forever.
Phil’s journey didn’t just change his health—it changed his perspective on life. Post-transplant, he is living with a renewed purpose, embracing the precious gift of time with those he loves most. The people who walked beside him, offering unwavering support, are now the people he cherishes more than ever. His faith, family, and friends have become the cornerstones of his second chance.
But Phil’s journey is more than just a story of survival—it’s a testament to the power of organ donation. He knows firsthand how life-changing, life-saving, and life-affirming it truly is. His message to others is clear: “For Catholics, there’s no greater gift than sharing your life with another. Organ donation is putting faith into action.”
Phil’s story is just one of many real-life organ donor stories that show the profound impact of giving the gift of life. As he encourages others to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors, Phil hopes to inspire more people to consider how they, too, can offer a second chance to someone else in need. For him, and countless others, organ donation is not just a gift—it’s a life-saving act of love.
Can My Family Override My Decision to be a Donor?
Many people wonder if their family can override their decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor after death. In short, the answer is no. Let’s talk a little more about this decision, the registry, and the donation process.
What does Signing Up as a Donor Mean?
Signing up as an organ, eye and tissue donor means you have made the decision to donate your organs, eyes and tissues at the time of your death. That decision can make a world of difference in the lives of people waiting for a lifesaving transplant. One donor can save up to 8 lives through organ donation and save and heal more than 75 lives through tissue donation.
As an adult (18 years or older), your decision to be a donor is a first-person authorized advanced directive. Just like a will, this decision is legally binding and cannot be overridden by your family; which is why it’s so important to discuss donation with your loved ones.
What exactly is the Donor Registry?
A donor registry is a legal record of an individual’s decision to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor. The Donate Life Colorado and Donate Life Wyoming registries are centralized, electronic databases that track the names of residents who have chosen to sign up as donors. This ensures their decisions are honored at the time of their death. The registry is confidential, and participation requires individuals to actively opt in, such as by saying “yes” when applying for a driver’s license or state ID.
How are Families Involved in the Donation Process?
“Perri was a registered donor; we had discussed it and knew exactly what she wanted,” said Kelly Lang, Perri’s mother. “That made everything so much easier for our family at the end of her life.”
If a potential deceased donor is on the registry, personnel from the local organ procurement organization, Donor Alliance in Colorado and most of Wyoming, will inform the family and guide them through every step of the process. If the individual is not yet registered, the family will be asked to authorize the gift of organ, eye and tissue donation.
Why Can’t Family Override Donation Decisions
In matters of organ, eye, and tissue donation, honoring an individual’s decision is essential, particularly during times of profound grief. One of the main reasons family members cannot override this decision is to alleviate the burden of making another painful choice during an already difficult time. This policy ensures that the individual’s wishes are respected, providing clarity and peace of mind for both the donor and their loved ones.
Although family members cannot change the decision, having an open conversation beforehand is vital. Discussing your choice to be a donor can foster understanding and help your loved ones recognize the life-changing impact of donation. Sharing stories of local individuals who have been touched by donation can provide a personal perspective, making the importance of your decision even clearer. Additionally, educating them about the donation process can help them feel more informed and prepared when the time comes.
Donor Alliance is excited to be part of the Pharaohs Hot Rod Car Show, a celebration of classic cars and community spirit. This event supports organ, eye, and tissue donation awareness through its fundraiser for the cause. Join us to honor donors, celebrate recipients, and help make a difference in saving and healing lives!
Nearly All Organ & Tissue Registrations Come Through CO Driver License Offices
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – December 9, 2024 – Registering as an organ and tissue donor is a vital step in Donor Alliance’s mission to save and heal lives. In Colorado, nearly all organ and tissue donor registrations are processed through driver license offices. To honor the critical role these offices play in the donation process, today, Donor Alliance presented the 2024 DMV Appreciation Award to Rosie Gum of the Colorado Springs State Driver License Office. Each year, Donor Alliance recognizes a DMV team member who goes above and beyond to inspire customers to give the gift of life and embodies the spirit of donation within their office culture.
“Donor Alliance is deeply grateful to our DMV partners. They play an essential role in the donation process, offering hope to the nearly 1,300 Coloradans awaiting a lifesaving organ transplant and tens of thousands more who need a tissue transplant,” said Jennifer Prinz, President and CEO of Donor Alliance. “Every time a DMV customer is asked the donation question, it’s an opportunity to save and heal another life.”
Rosie Gum accepts DMV Award
When a person registers to be an organ, eye and tissue donor they will receive the little heart with the Y on their license. That little heart has a big impact. One person can save up to eight lives through organ donation and save and heal up to 75 lives through tissue donation.
“The work we do at the DMV goes beyond issuing licenses–it’s about building a stronger, healthier community,” said Senior Director Electra Bustle. “Donor Alliance has been an incredible partner in that mission, helping us educate Coloradans about the life-saving impact of organ, eye and tissue donation. We are especially proud to celebrate Rosie for their outstanding dedication to this cause. Rosie’s commitment reflects the heart of our organization: serving the people of Colorado in meaningful ways.”
Last year, 307 heroic donors in Colorado and Wyoming provided 918 organ transplants and 1,703 tissue donors were able to provide more than 100,000 tissue grafts to those in need. Coloradans can also sign up today to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at DonorAlliance.org.
About Donor Alliance
Donor Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving and healing lives through organ and tissue donation for transplantation in Colorado and most of Wyoming. As a federally designated organ procurement organization – one of 56 in the U.S. – Donor Alliance serves more than 6.3 million residents and more than 100 hospitals. Donor Alliance walks alongside the family during the organ recovery process and ensures their loved one’s gifts are safely received at transplant centers in a timely manner. Donor Alliance also facilitates tissue donation to save and heal more lives across our community. In addition, the organization manages the Donate Life Colorado and Donate Life Wyoming donor registries, which are symbols of the cause. When someone has the little heart with the Y on their driver license or state ID, it means they have joined the Donate Life registry. Through Donate Life, Donor Alliance educates residents on the lifesaving benefits of donation, inspiring them to register. For more information, please visit DonorAlliance.org.
About Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles
The DMV is committed to providing services for all Coloradans where they are needed most, whether it’s in-office, online or on the go. Visit DMV.Colorado.gov/Anywhere to find out how you can DMV anywhere. Yes, anywhere.
Adilem, from Colorado Springs, received a life-saving liver transplant when she was just six months old. Although she was born seemingly healthy, by two months old, her skin began to turn a deep yellow. After a liver biopsy and further tests doctors discovered her liver was failing. Despite undergoing a procedure called the Kasai surgery, it was unsuccessful, and Adilem was placed on the transplant waitlist.
Four months later, thanks to the selfless generosity of a donor family, Adilem received a new liver. This remarkable gift changed her life forever, allowing her to grow up strong, healthy, and full of joy.
“Every day, I think about Jack, the donor, and his parents. There are no words to express my gratitude; they gave my daughter the gift of life,” says Milagros Estrello, Adilem’s mother.
Adilem’s transplant gave her the chance to grow, laugh, and live fully, reminding us all of the priceless value of organ and tissue donation.
This Privacy Notice has been updated and is effective as of October 31, 2024. Donor Alliance, Inc. (“Donor Alliance”) respects your privacy and preferences. This privacy notice (the “Privacy Notice”) describes how Donor Alliance and its affiliates and subsidiaries (collectively, “Donor Alliance,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) collect, use, and disclose personal data in our day-to-day operations obtained through all channels of communication, including through https://www.donoralliance.org, any other Donor Alliance website or application that links to this Notice, or in person (collectively, the “Services”). Personal data is information about you through which you can be identified (including where you can be identified by combining the information with other information). Information We Collect We collect personal data about you from a variety of sources, including from you directly (e.g., when you contact us by email or request information through our website), data collected automatically about your use of the Services (e.g., data collected from cookies and other similar), and data we collect about you from other sources, including social media or commercially available sources, such as public databases (where permitted by law).
- Contact Information. For example, first and last name, email address, postal address, phone number, or communication preferences.
- Identifiers. For example, your driver’s license or state ID card number.
- Donation Information. For example, payment card information, billing address, donation history, or information regarding intended bequests.
- Demographic Information. For example, age, gender, ethnicity, or race.
- Health Information. For example, any information you may choose to disclose to us regarding specific organs or tissues you wish to donate or your experience with organ or tissue donation.
- Device and Network Data. For example, technical data collected from your computer or mobile device, such as your IP address, browser type, operating system.
- Usage Data. For example, the pages you visit when using the Services, the search terms you enter on the Services, how often you use the Services, and the pages you access before and after accessing the Services.
- Communications Preferences. For example, your preferred method(s) of communication.
- Information Provided to Us Through Your Use of the Services, whether Online, by Phone, or in Person. For example, any files, documents, videos, images, data, or information you upload or transmit through your communications with us or your use of the Services, such as when you contact us with a question, comment, or request or participate in polls or surveys.
How We Use Your Personal Data We may process your personal data for the purposes outlined below.
| Processing Purpose | Categories of Data Processed |
| Identification and authentication: We use your identification information to verify your identity when you access and use our Services and to ensure the security of your personal data. |
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| Operating the Services: We process your personal data to provide the Services you have requested. |
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| Improving our Services: We analyze information about how you use our Services to provide an improved experience for our donors and uses of all our Services, site analytics. We may also conduct research and analyze information to improve the effectiveness of our outreach and communications. |
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| Communicating with you: We use your personal data when we communicate with you, for example, to keep you informed of our priorities and opportunities to get involved, send you newsletters and other publications, and in response to inquiries made by you. |
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| Marketing: We use your personal data to build a profile about you and place you into particular marketing segments in order to understand your preferences better and to appropriately personalize the marketing messages we send to you. |
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| Legal obligations and rights: We use your personal data to exercise our legal rights where it is necessary to do so, for example, to detect, prevent and respond to claims of fraud or intellectual property infringement claims. We may also use personal data in connection with the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims, to comply with laws or to respond to lawful requests and legal processes, or to protect our rights and property and the rights and property of others, including to enforce our agreements and policies. |
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| Complying with our obligations: We process your personal data to, for example, carry out fraud prevention checks or comply with other legal or regulatory requirements, as required by law. |
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| Customizing your experience: When you use the Services, we use your personal data to improve your experience of the Services, such as by providing interactive or personalized elements on the Services and providing you with content based on your interests. |
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| Keeping our records accurate and up-to-date. This processing is necessary to comply with legal obligations as well as for our management and administration purposes. |
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How We Disclose Your Personal Data We share personal information with your consent, when you direct us to share it with others, as necessary to complete your transactions, or to provide the services you have requested or authorized. For example, when you provide credit card information to make a contribution, we will share that data with payment card processors and other entities as necessary for the processing of your payment and to prevent or detect fraud. We may disclose any of the categories of personal data described above to the following categories of entities:
- Our service providers, including vendors, consultants, and other service providers who perform services or functions on our behalf, for business purposes. For example, our service providers include companies who support us with fundraising, registering volunteers, marketing, consulting, communications, software maintenance and support, web services, analytics, social media, auditing, security, user verification, and payment processing.
- Our affiliates. We may share certain information about, for example, donation or communication history.
- Ad networks and advertising partners. We work with third-party ad networks and advertising partners to deliver advertising and personalized content on our Services, on other websites and services, and across other devices. These parties may collect information directly from a browser or device when an individual visits our Services through cookies or other data collection technologies. This information is used to provide and inform targeted advertising, as well as to provide advertising-related services such as reporting, attribution, analytics and market research.
- Law enforcement agencies, courts, other government authorities or other third parties where we believe it is necessary to comply with a legal or regulatory obligation, or otherwise to protect our rights or the rights of any third party.
- Potential transaction partners, service providers, advisors, and other third parties in connection with the consideration, negotiation, or completion of a corporate transaction in which we are acquired by or merged with another company, or we sell or transfer all or a portion of our assets or organization.
As described above, in some cases we may share your information with third parties who may use your information for their own purposes, including for purposes of marketing and advertising. These disclosures may be considered “sales” or “targeted advertising” under applicable privacy laws. Information Security We implement technical and organizational measures designed to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk to the personal data we process. These measures are aimed at ensuring the ongoing integrity and confidentiality of personal data. We evaluate these measures on a regular basis to help ensure the security of the processing. Your Rights Over Your Personal Data We strive to communicate with you according to your preferences. In some instances, you can update your communication preferences directly through the communication channels where we can contact you, for example by clicking on the “Unsubscribe” link in the footer of our emails. Depending on where you reside, and subject to certain exceptions, you may have the following rights with respect to your personal data:
- Right to Know and Access: Consumers have a right to request information about the personal information that we collect, use, disclose, share, and sell, including requesting the specific pieces of personal information we have collected about them.
- Right to Delete: Consumers have a right to request the deletion of personal information that we have collected from them, though we may be permitted to retain personal information for certain purposes.
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Right to Correct: Consumers have a right to request that we correct inaccurate personal information.
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Right to Opt Out
- Targeted Advertising. Consumers have the right to opt out of targeted advertising.
- Sales of Data. Consumers have the choice to opt out of sales of data. In the Donor Alliance context, we do not sell your personal information.
- Note: Some consumer privacy laws also afford residents the right to opt out of profiling or automated decision-making with legal or similarly significant impacts. Donor Alliance does not conduct these activities.
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Right to Opt Out
- Non-Discrimination: We may not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.
You may opt out of targeted advertising by clicking here and following the instructions. Where required, we also honor requests to opt-out submitted via privacy preference signals recognized under applicable local law, such as the Global Privacy Control (GPC). You may submit requests to exercise your other rights by contacting us at the information provided in the “Contact Us” section below. Please include the phrase “Personal Data Privacy Request” in the subject line. In order for us to verify your request, we need to verify your identity, so the request should include your name, address, and email address, along with a clear indication of the right(s) you wish to exercise. Please note that we may require additional information from you in order to honor your requests. Depending on where you reside, you may also use an authorized agent to act on your behalf to submit requests to exercise your rights. We will honor a request from an authorized agent provided that (i) you provide written authorization to the authorized agent to act on your behalf and we can verify your identity, and (ii) the agent submits proof of authorization. Authorized agents may use the same methods noted above to submit requests on your behalf. You may also have the right to appeal a refusal to take action on your request. You can submit an appeal using the same information provided in the “Contact Us” section below. Changes to This Privacy Notice If we update this Privacy Notice, we will notify you by posting a new Privacy Notice on this page. If we make any revisions that materially reduce the privacy protections related to your personal information, we will give you the opportunity to consent to such changes before applying them to that information. Contacting Us If you have questions or concerns regarding our processing of your personal data, please contact us: By Phone: 303-329-4747 By Email: public-relations-team@donoralliance.org By Mail: 200 Spruce Street, Suite 200 Denver, CO 80230
