Understanding
Organ & Tissue Donation
Your decision to join the organ, eye and tissue donation registry in Colorado has the potential to save up to 8 lives and heal up to 75 more throughout our community.
For some, this decision is straightforward and simple, but we understand that you may have questions or want to know more about organ, eye and tissue donation. Below are some common Frequently Asked Questions, which we hope will clarify your decision to become a donor.
Who is eligible to become a donor?
Everyone can register to be a donor. There are no restrictions to registering to be an organ, eye & tissue donor. Anyone can register—including you!
What does registering to be an organ donor actually mean?
The organ, eye and tissue donor registry is related to deceased donation, meaning your decision to donate your organs, eyes and tissues to patients in need happens at the time of your death. This is what you commit to doing when you say ‘yes’ to being a donor at the driver license office (DMV). This is unrelated to living donation, which is when someone generously chooses to donate an organ or part of an organ to another individual while they are alive.
What about factors such as age or pre-existing medical conditions?
You are never too old or unhealthy to register to be a donor. In the event you are in a position to be a donor, medical specialists will evaluate your medical history to determine your suitability to donate.
How Do I Get a
“Donate Life” License Plate?
You’ve probably seen the Donate Life license plates on cars in our community. When you apply for or renew your license plates, owners with eligible vehicles can choose a specialty Donate Life license plate to spread awareness about organ, eye, and tissue donation!
Donate Life is a national organization that we at Donor Alliance partner with in order to make organ, eye and tissue donation possible. Donor Alliance is a nonprofit dedicated to saving and healing lives through organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Donor Alliance also manages the donor registries in the region - Donate Life Colorado and Donate Life Wyoming.
Meet People in Our
Community Who Checked the Box
Jaime’s Story
When Jaime was six years old, he developed aggressive cataracts on both eyes. The disease caused Jaime to go nearly blind within a month of his diagnosis. Soon after having surgery on both eyes, Jaime suffered from cornea damage on his right eye and needed a transplant. After months of waiting, Jaime received the gift of sight from a generous donor. This lifesaving and healing gift allowed Jaime to see all that life has to offer, including getting his driver license and graduating from college. When it was time, he checked the box to be a registered organ, eye and tissue donor.
