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.
Jaime Tellez, tissue recipient
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?
“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.
