What to Expect at the Donor Family Tribute
The Donor Family Tribute is an event to honor the heroes who gave the gift of life and their families who made that gift possible. The event is themed "Lives Transformed," and honors the transformative gift of donation for both recipients and donor families.
Grief and loss looks different for everyone, and we want you to be prepared for a wide range of emotions you may feel during the Donor Family Tribute. This event is intended to honor and inspire hope, and it can be an emotional experience for families. We invite you to participate in the event activities as you feel able, but know that there are no expectations. If at any time you feel overwhelmed, our staff will be available for support.
Below are some frequently asked questions about the Donor Family Tribute. If your questions about the event are not answered below, please reach out to us at 303-329-4747 or aftercare@donoralliance.org.
What to expect at the Donor Family Tribute
The Donor Family Tribute is held at The Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center. The Gaylord is a large hotel and event space, and getting around can take some time. Our staff will be available at the hotel and convention center entrances (holding Donor Family Tribute signs) to point you in the right direction and to provide wheelchair assistance if needed.
If you would like to reserve a room at the Gaylord, you can book at a discounted rate through March 14 by visiting https://book.passkey.com/event/50961787/owner/49722822/home
Families of donors from the previous two years are invited to the event, and there are typically 400-600 people in attendance.
The program is about 1.5 hours long and includes speakers, a photo tribute/recognition ceremony, a moment of silence, and a poem reading. Speakers include Donor Alliance staff, recipients, and donor families sharing stories of hope.
A Photo Tribute will be displayed during the Recognition Ceremony. Each donor’s name is read aloud and their photo displayed. When your loved one's name is read, we invite you to light a candle at your table in their honor. (You will be able to submit a photo of your loved one when you RSVP for the event.)
Throughout the program, families are seated at tables inside the event ballroom. Depending on the size of your party, your family may be seated with another donor family.
You should submit any photo of your loved one that is meaningful, at the highest resolution possible. Your photo can feature only your loved one, or it may include other loved ones, pets, etc. Please submit only one photo for the photo tribute. Photos will be displayed on a slide in landscape orientation, but your photo can be either landscape or portrait.
The Donor Family Tribute is a family-friendly event, and we welcome children of all ages. A designated "kids table" will be set up, offering various activities and crafts for those who wish to participate. 
Buffet-style heavy appetizers will be served beginning at 1:00pm, prior to the start of the program at 1:30pm. Non-alcoholic drinks will be available throughout the program.
We invite you to decorate the butterfly that is included in your invitation with photos, quotes, drawings, or anything that is meaningful to honor your loved one. When you arrive, you will be able to hang your butterfly on the Memory Wall, where it will be displayed throughout the event. You are welcome to take your butterfly home at the end of the event.
Extra butterflies and decorating supplies will be available at the event.
The Rocky Mountain Threads of Life quilts are a beautiful tribute to organ and tissue donors. Families are invited to make a quilt square in honor of their loved one, which is sewn into a quilt to celebrate our donor heroes. Completed quilts will be on display at the Donor Family Tribute, and we invite you to contribute a quilt square in honor of your loved one, which will become part of a quilt in the future.
To have your quilt square displayed during the Donor Family Tribute, please bring your completed quilt square with you to the event, or mail it to our office so that it is received by March 28, 2025. If you have already submitted a quilt square, it will be displayed at the event.
For detailed information on how to submit a quilt square, please refer to the insert in your invitation or visit www.donoralliance.org/quilt
We suggest business casual attire, but please feel free to wear whatever is most comfortable for you.
The event will not be livestreamed, but it will be recorded. A link to the video recording will be sent to all attendees after the event.
Spanish and American Sign Language Interpretation will be available for the event. When you arrive, please let our staff know if someone in your party would benefit from these services.
If you are unable to attend, we invite you to
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- Submit a quilt square in honor of your loved one (see the insert in your invitation or visit www.donoralliance.org/quilt)
- Request a Forever Generous Suncatcher to display in your home
- If you are unable to attend, but would like to be invited to next year’s event, please be sure to RSVP.