AURORA, Colo. – January 6, 2025 – 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. Last year, Kigerl stood out for her unwavering commitment to the
cause, motivating countless students to learn about the life-saving impact of organ and tissue
donation, including the significance of the heart on a driver license. For more than a decade,
Kigerl has impacted nearly 20,000 students through Donor Alliance’s Transplantation Science
Program, which offers 6th through 12th graders an engaging, hands-on curriculum about the
science behind organ and tissue donation.
“This is a remarkable achievement for Niki Kigerl, Cherry Creek Schools, and Donor Alliance,”
said Jennifer Prinz, President and CEO of Donor Alliance. “It is through initiatives like this—
educating young people about the profound, lifesaving impact of organ and tissue donation—
that we build public trust and inspire more people to check the box and register. With nearly
1,300 Coloradans currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant and tens of thousands more
needing a tissue transplant, this kind of education is vital to saving and healing lives.”
Beyond teaching the science of organ and tissue donation, Kigerl connects her students to the
mission on a deeply personal level—her son was born with a rare liver disease and will one day
need a transplant. Through her work, she’s inspired countless young people to understand the
life-saving power of donation and what it means to get the little heart on their driver license. One
person can save up to eight lives through organ donation and save and heal up to 75 more
through tissue donation.
“If even one student or family member has had the education and made an informed decision
regarding organ and tissue donation, I would be honored to be connected to their story,” said
Kigerl. “I appreciate all Donor Alliance does for our Eaglecrest High School community. I’m
honored they come out to speak to our freshmen about this important and heroic gift of life.”
Donor Alliance’s Transplantation Science Program is a free curriculum that offers students
across Colorado and most of Wyoming the chance to learn about the organ donation process,
get the facts around organ and tissue donation, explore plastinated organs and tissues from the
human body, gain an understanding of the organ allocation process, and much more.
About Donor Alliance
Donor Alliance is a non-profit 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. The
organization also manages the Donate Life Colorado and Donate Life Wyoming registries. Through
Donate Life, the symbol of the cause, Donor Alliance educates residents on the lifesaving benefits of
donation, inspiring them to register. For more information or to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor,
please visit DonorAlliance.org.
About Cherry Creek Schools
Cherry Creek School District serves more than 53,000 students and 300,000 residents across eight
municipalities. It is the fourth largest school district in Colorado and the largest employer in Arapahoe
County, Colorado. Cherry Creek achieves its mission “to inspire every student to think, to learn, to
achieve, to care” through its five Core Values: Growth Mindset, Equity, Whole Wellbeing, Engagement
and Relationships. Cherry Creek’s dedication to excellence has been a guiding principle for more than 70
years and continues to guide the district’s approach to ensuring a Pathway of Purpose and a bright,
fulfilling future for each and every student.
Donation Essentials Blog
Can You Sell Organs in the United States?
Donor Alliance is occasionally asked whether someone can sell their organs or receive some form of financial incentive for donating them.
In short, the answer is NO.
Selling Organs in the United States is Illegal
The National Organ Transplant Act, which was passed in 1984, makes it illegal to sell or buy human organs and tissues in the United States. Selling organs and tissues is a crime and violators are subject to fines and imprisonment.
Why is it illegal to sell organs?
According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, “One reason Congress made this law was to make sure the wealthy do not have an unfair advantage for obtaining donated organs and tissues”. (Source: OPTN white paper on bioethics—Financial Incentives for Organ Donation, June 30, 1993).
The Uniform Anatomical Gift Act Describes Organ, Eye & Tissue Donation as a Gift
In addition, the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA), the federal act that provides legal authority for organ, eye and tissue donation defines a gift as “a voluntary and legally binding uncompensated transfer.” The UAGA allows individuals to make the legal decision to gift their organs and tissues after death and establishes donor registries such as the Donate Life Colorado and the Donate Life Wyoming registries as a valid document of gift.
Being an Organ, Eye and Tissue Donor is an Altruistic Decision
Organ, eye and tissue donation is the ultimate act of kindness one can do for another human being. Financial incentives for donating organs and tissues are not only in direct conflict with the altruistic and generous nature of organ, eye and tissue donation, they are also against federal law as established by the National Organ Transplant Act.
Over the years, families in Colorado and Wyoming have deeply expressed their gratitude for the gift of life their loved ones provided to those in need after their passing.
People on the Waitlist Rely on the Generosity of Organ, Eye and Tissue Donors
Did you know nearly 1,300 people are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant in Colorado and Wyoming?
When you say “Yes” to becoming an organ and tissue donor, you’re not just checking a box. You’re creating a ripple effect of hope. Cody, from Pueblo, Colo., knows this firsthand. In 2024, Cody received a lifesaving liver transplant after battling a serious illness. Now, he’s living his best life with his fiancé, their dog, and their newly purchased home, all thanks to the generosity of his donor.
“Statistically, I shouldn’t be here right now,” Cody shared. “The gift I received is a debt I can never repay, but I’m determined to honor it every day by sharing my story and helping others understand the impact of donation.”
There are also tens of thousands of more people in our community who need a tissue transplant. Each year, tissue transplants help those suffering from trauma, disease or blindness.
- Donated bones and tendons can be used to replace or reconstruct tissue destroyed by tumors, trauma or infection, and saving limbs that would otherwise be amputated.
- Donated heart valves can replace damaged ones, allowing the heart to function again.
- Doated veins can be used in patients who require coronary artery bypass surgery, a routine procedure that saves thousands of lives. For individuals suffering from diabetes or other diseases that cause a decrease in the blood flow, surgeons can use donated veins to repair damaged vessels and restore blood flow — in many cases saving limbs from amputation.
- Donated skin is critically needed for patients suffering from burns or trauma and is used as a bandage to protect the body from infection and promote healing. Donated skin is also used for cleft palate repair and mastectomy reconstruction.
- Donated corneas help restore sight to individuals suffering from corneal blindness or trauma to the eye.
Organ and Tissue Donation is a Gift
Organ and tissue donation is a generous and heroic gift. Check the box and say “yes” to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor at the DMV. Once you register, you’ll get a little heart with a Y on your license. That little heart has a big impact! One person can one day save up to eight lives through organ donation and save and heal up to 75 lives through tissue donation. You can also make your decision today at DonorAlliance.org. Don’t forget to discuss your decision with your family.
What is Tissue Donation?
Many people understand the importance of being an organ donor, but did you know you can also save and heal lives through tissue donation? In fact, you might have already benefited from a tissue donation without even realizing it!
Tissue donation is an incredible gift that allows one person to save and heal up to 75 lives! That’s right, by choosing to be a tissue donor after you pass away, you can help tens of thousands of people suffering from trauma, disease or blindness. Tissue donation includes the cornea, heart valves, skin, veins, tendons, and bones.
Donated Tissue Heals in Many Ways
Through Donor Alliance’s community outreach, the nonprofit organization is able to educate and inspire Coloradans and Wyomingites about the importance of checking the box to register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor on the Donate Life Colorado and Donate Life Wyoming registries. Donor Alliance also shares Stories of Hope from across our communities to connect people to the mission. It is amazing how big the circle of connection grows with each donor, donor family and recipient.
Often, Donor Alliance meets people who do not even realize they are tissue recipients. From healing tendons for ACL and other sport injuries, to bone for dental procedures, to healing skin for burn victims, tissue donation heals in numerous ways.
Check out some of the ways tissue donation can benefit others!
Local Stories of Tissue Donors & Tissue Recipients
Jaime, Cornea Recipient
At just six years old, Jaime developed aggressive cataracts that clouded both his eyes. The disease caused Jaime to go nearly blind within a month. After having surgery on both eyes, Jaime suffered from cornea damage on his right eye. A transplant was his only hope.
After months of waiting, Jaime received the gift of sight from a generous donor. This incredible gift not only saved his vision, it opened a world of possibilities. With his restored sight, Jaime went on to achieve milestones he once thought impossible—like getting his driver license and graduating from the Colorado School of Mines in Golden.
Julie, Donor Mother of Son, Evan, an Organ, Cornea and Tissue Donor
Julie lost her son, Evan when he was 19 years old in an accident. He was known for his beautiful smile, the mischievous “Irish” twinkle in his eye, his contagious laugh, his loyalty, and his kind, giving nature. The pain of losing a child is immense, yet Julie found a rare positive amid her grief because of Evan’s decision to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor.
“Through his tissue donations Evan healed 33 people and gave two people sight. His decision to register to be an organ and tissue donor has impacted so many lives, including my own. A month after Evan’s accident we traveled to Ireland to scatter his ashes, he was so proud of his Irish heritage and had always hoped to visit one day. We returned home to find a letter with the status of Evan’s cornea recipients, halfway down the page I read, “Evan’s left cornea was placed with a man residing in Ireland and his sight was successfully restored.” There are no words to adequately describe how reading that letter impacted me, even today as I reflect on that moment. The legacy he has left is profound and I honor it every day, he is my hero.”
Mary, Tissue Recipient and Spouse of a Tissue Donor
Mary was an active person, often hiking and running with her husband, Eric. After several ACL injuries requiring surgery and deceased donor tissue, Mary was facing another repair in 2020. Months after her husband’s sudden and tragic passing, Mary requested that her husband’s donated tissue be used to repair her damaged ACL.
“As much as I would rather have my husband with me, now I have a piece of him forever with me.”
Are You A Tissue Recipient?
At Donor Alliance, we often hear from the community, “I had no idea I’m a tissue recipient!” Now, it’s time to express our gratitude and honor the selfless tissue donors and their families who make these life-changing gifts possible.
If you or a loved one are a tissue recipient, or if someone you know gave the gift of life through tissue donation, we’d love to hear from you. Donor Alliance is eager to share your story to inspire others and help save and heal more lives across Colorado and Wyoming.
You can also register today to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at DonorAlliance.org. Once you make your decision, it’s important to discuss it with your family.
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?
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.
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!