Cobertura Reciente en los Medios

septiembre 29, 2020

Advocate Spotlight: Kristen Atkinson

[caption id="attachment_29821" align="alignright" width="492"]Tim-Kristen-Atkinson Kristen with her husband, Tim.[/caption]

Donor Alliance volunteers and advocates are the heart and soul of our efforts to inspire and inform our community about the importance of signing up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor in Colorado and Wyoming. Each of our volunteers and advocates has their own unique and inspiring story to tell. In this advocate spotlight, meet Kristen Atkinson, a recipient's wife and caregiver from Firestone, CO.

Get to Know Kristen Atkinson in this Month's Advocate Spotlight:

What's your favorite thing about volunteering at Donor Alliance? I love giving back to an organization and a cause that’s given me so much. My husband wouldn’t be here today without organ donation. I enjoy meeting people who don’t know how the process works, and also meeting those that know far more than I do. It’s been such an engaging experience all the way around.

What is your proudest accomplishment? Going back to college. I’ve never gotten a degree, but it’s always been something I’ve wanted to do. It’s been slow going but has been a lot of fun! I love learning new things.

What is the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it? Avengers: Endgame. It was great! The Marvel universe is so different, and we loved watching all the movies.

If you could take an all-expenses paid vacation, where would you go? Probably Alaska. There’s so many National Parks I would love to see up there, and glaciers and northern lights are things I’ve always wanted to see.

What are some of your favorite hobbies? My husband and I do 5K charity runs pretty frequently. I also like doing crafts, like jewelry making, knitting, and journaling. I also like reading.

What song would you sing at karaoke night? I’m definitely not a good singer – so anything where I’m not the only person on the stage!

If you could have any super power for 24 hours, what would it be? I’d want the ability to change anything about anyone. Imagine all the good things you could do for people in 24 hours!

What's your favorite holiday and why? Halloween! I love the costumes and the fun of the Halloween. And I loved dressing up and candy as a kid. Okay, even still as an adult. 😊

What's your favorite season and why? 100% Fall. I love the cooler weather.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? “Remember who you are.” Sometimes it’s hard to remember who we are, especially in hard situations. If I step back and take a moment to remember who I am, my perspective often changes.

agosto 27, 2020

Book Discussion: “The Organ Thieves” – Lessons Learned, Shaping the Future Actions within Donation & Transplantation

the-organ-thieves-book-coverWith the recent publication of the book The Organ Thieves: The Shocking Story of the First Heart Transplant in the Segregated South, we must acknowledge the past transgressions within the healthcare system and donation and transplantation field in the United States.

The Organ Thieves is about Bruce Tucker, a Black man who suffered a head injury in 1968 and was taken to a top research hospital in Virginia to be treated. Tucker passed away from his injury and hospital staff moved forward with recovering his organs for donation, and he became the first heart donor in the segregated South. The book highlights how hospital staff failed to communicate with Tucker’s family and get proper authorization before going forward with the donation process, a continuation of medical practices that marginalized and mistreated Black people at the time.

Woven into the history of donation and transplantation in the U.S. is a painful reality of the injustices people of color have faced. We must learn from past experiences and use them to inform future actions. Here we take a look at how the system has evolved since the Bruce Tucker case outlined in The Organ Thieves.

The Organ Donation Process Today: Authorization

Our mission at Donor Alliance is to save lives through organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation. It is our duty as a federally-designated organ procurement organization to ensure organ donation is optimized and executed in the fairest and most ethical manner possible.

We’re committed to saving and healing lives through our work, regardless of background, race or ethnicity. This hasn’t always been the case in our field or in medicine at large, which is why processes have been put in place to ensure transparency and stringency in the authorization process.

organ-and-tissue-donation-process

Today, we have discussions with each family of a potential organ donor to make sure that they are in-the-know and to ensure that their loved one’s decision is honored.

The following authorization process is followed during every case, regardless of the race of the donor:

  • Local organ procurement organization (OPO) personnel are notified that a potential donor faces imminent brain death or has passed away.
  • OPO personnel search the registry database for the potential donor.
    1. If the potential donor is identified within the database as a registered donor, the family is notified of their loved one’s donor designation status.
    2. If the potential donor is not registered as a donor at the time of death, his or her family can give authorization for their loved one to be a donor. The donation process proceeds only after the family has granted authorization.
  • A medical evaluation then takes place, including obtaining complete medical and social history from the family.

Authorization and the family discussion are just one step of the organ donation process, and happens separately and independently from the diagnosis of the patient and the declaration of death.

Apart from a fair and transparent allocation process, we work to ensure education about donation and transplantation is accessible to people of color in our region, including outreach targeted at the Black community in particular.

Looking for more facts on donation and transplantation? Visit our Colorado facts page or our Wyoming facts page.

To sign up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor, simply say Yes at the DMV or driver license office the next time you obtain or renew your license or state I.D. You can also sign up anytime online at DonateLifeColorado.org or DonateLifeWyoming.org.

agosto 19, 2020

Is Coronavirus a Rule-out for Organ Transplants?

When it comes to rule outs for organ transplants, it's important to get the facts, especially when discussing coronavirus and other diseases.

Active coronavirus continues to be a rule out for both organ and tissue donors as well as recipients. However, once recovered, donation and transplantation are both possible, as is the case with many other viral illnesses.

Exposure Does Not Prevent Future Donation: Recovered Coronavirus Patients May Be Eligible to be Organ Donors

A person who is through the acute phase of the disease may be eligible for organ donation now and in the future. Justmedical-rule-outs-donation as with other viral diseases, like the flu or Epstein Barr, historical exposure is not a rule out for donation.

Anyone, regardless of age, lifestyle or medical condition, can sign up to be a donor. Patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hepatitis and cancer can also potentially save and heal lives through donation. Eligibility for organ, eye and tissue donation is medically evaluated at the time of death. Even donors who are HIV+ may now be eligible to be organ donors through the Hope Act.

Please do not rule yourself out. If you support organ, eye and tissue donation, we encourage you to sign up to be donor now and let the medical professionals determine eligibility at that time.

Only Active COVID-19 is Currently a Medical Rule-out

[caption id="attachment_26936" align="alignright" width="300"]2019-coronavirus Picture Courtesy: CDC[/caption]

With no existing treatment or cure, acute or active COVID-19 is currently a medical rule out for both organ and tissue donation. However, as with many other illnesses, medical science is likely to change that over time and even active coronavirus is not expected to be a rule out for donation in coming years, much like the flu.

The decision to utilize donor organs ultimately rests with transplant surgeons who manage complex decisions around patient care.

Living Organ Donation

The information on this page pertains to deceased organ donation. Living donation is facilitated directly through the transplant centers. Please contact one of the four transplant centers in our area for more information.

COVID-19 Information and Resources

agosto 17, 2020

Programa La Ciencia del Trasplante en el Podcast The Gifted Life

¿Has escuchado el episodio sobre La Ciencia del Trasplante en el Podcast Gifted Life? Estamos muy emocionados por que nuestro programa escolar educativo Transplantation Science o “La Ciendia del Transplante” y sus logros fueron compartidos en un episodio del podcast The Gifted Life, producido por Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA). Escucha el episodio aquí.

Ken, educador de Transplantation Science comparte su historia

El educador del programa La ciencia del trasplante o Transplanatation Science Ken Turnipseed, también conocido como “Mr. T” ha estado Ciencia del Trasplante en el Podcast The Gifted Life enseñando a los estudiantes sobre la importancia de la donación y los trasplantes de órganos y tejidos durante más de 10 años. El podcast comienza con Ken contando su historia sobre cómo no fue alguien que apoyaba la donación mientras crecía y la experiencia que lo hizo cambiar de opinión. Ken comparte: "Lo único que nos dijeron absolutamente fue ... no lo hagas". No fue hasta mucho más tarde en la vida, cuando su hermano necesitó un trasplante de corazón, que Ken se dio cuenta de la importancia de la donación de órganos y tejidos y de la información errónea que había estado compartiendo con los demás. “Convertirme [en un educador de la ciencia del trasplante] fue una oportunidad para aliviar parte de mi culpa, pero al mismo tiempo corregir [lo que había hecho] por todas las personas a las que había influenciado negativamente a través de los años”, dice Ken.

Transplantation Science: Un Programa Gratuito de Donor Alliance

Transplantation Science aparece en el podcast de Gifted Life justo a tiempo para el nuevo año escolar. Transplantation Science o la Ciencia del Trasplante es un programa escolar gratuito para los grados 6-12 destinado a mejorar cualquier programa de anatomía, salud o biología e introducir a los estudiantes en el campo de la donación y el trasplante de órganos, ojos y tejidos. Traemos muestras de órganos plastinados y otros materiales al salón de clases para que los estudiantes puedan tener una experiencia práctica. También nos complace anunciar que nuestro plan de estudios digital ya está disponible.

¡Agosto el Mes Nacional para la Concientización de la Donación en Grupos Minoritarios!

Compartimos este episodio durante el Mes Nacional para la Concientización de la Donación en Grupos Minoritarios, una celebración que tiene como objetivo ayudar a salvar y sanar las vidas de comunidades diversas al incrementar la compresión sobre la donación de órganos, ojos y tejidos en todos los grupos étnicos. La vida de cientos de personas que esperan un trasplante dependen de otras personas en nuestra comunidad. ¿Sabías que, aunque la compatibilidad de los órganos no se determina según la raza o el origen étnico los trasplantes realizados entre personas del mismo grupo étnico pueden ser más compatibles y exitosas? Esa es una de las razones por las que es tan importante que más personas que pertenecen a comunidades de color se registren para ser donantes.

¡Aprende por qué es importante que más personas en todas las comunidades se registren como donantes y qué puede hacer para ayudar!

agosto 6, 2020

Transplantation Science on The Gifted Life Podcast

Have you listened to the episode about Transplantation Science on the Gifted Life Podcast? We are so excited to share that our Transplantation Science program has been featured as an episode on The Gifted Life podcast, produced by Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA). You can listen to the episode here.

Transplantation Science Educator Ken Turnipseed, aka “Mr. T,” has been teaching students about the importance of organ and tissue donation and transplantation for over 10 years. The podcast begins with Ken telling his story about how he was not a proponenTransplantation_Science_on _the_gifted_life_podcast_Educator_Ken_Turnipseedt for donation while he was growing up and the experience that changed his mind. Ken shares, “The one thing we were absolutely told was…do not do it.” It wasn’t until much later in life, when his brother needed a heart transplant that Ken realized the importance of organ and tissue donation and the misinformation he had been sharing with others. “Becoming [a Transplantation Science educator] was a chance for me to alleviate some of my guilt but at the same time make amends for all of the people I had influenced negatively over time,” Ken says.

Transplantation Science - a free Donor Alliance program

Transplantation Science is featured on the Gifted Life podcast just in time for the new school year! Transplantation Science is a free school curriculum program for grades 6-12 meant to enhance any anatomy, health or biology program and to introduce students to the field of organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation. We bring plastinated organ specimens and other materials into the classroom so students can have a hands-on experience. We are also excited to announce that our digital curriculum is now available.

It's National Minority Donor Awareness Month!

We are featuring this story during National Minority Donor Awareness Month, an observance that aims to help save and heal the lives of diverse communities by growing understanding of organ, eye, and tissue donation across all ethnicities. The lives of those waiting for a lifesaving transplant depends on others in our community. Did you know transplant matches made within ethnic groups can be more compatible? That is one of the reasons it’s important for more people in our communities of color to sign up to be donors.

Learn why it is important that more people in all communities sign up as donors and what you can do to help! ?

agosto 4, 2020

Denver Business Journal Names Donor Alliance 2020 Best Place to Work

We are proud to announce Donor Alliance has been named a 2020 Best Place to Work by Denver Business Journal, ranking 13th in the extra-large company (100-249 employees) category. We were honored in a virtual awards celebration last night alongside 64 other outstanding organizations across the Denver metro area.DBJ Best Place to Work Congrats Employees

This honor is especially meaningful to us because it is judged by the people that know our organization best, our employees. Our team members were asked to complete an online survey conducted by Quantum Workplace, measures our organization’s culture on everything from benefits to trust in leadership. Responses were then compiled, evaluated and ranked by Quantum based on their composite score.

As a recognized leader in organ and tissue donation, our organization fosters a mission-driven culture through our core values: Integrity, Leadership, Excellence, Accountability and People First. In addition to traditional health benefits as well as other offerings like our wellness program, tuition and health club reimbursement and a charitable contribution program, Donor Alliance also offers employees something much more extraordinary: the opportunity to help save lives every day.

In addition to achieving this recognition, Donor Alliance has also been awarded Top Workplace status by The Denver Post for the last six consecutive years and was recognized as Best at Making Work Meaningful in 2019. Donor Alliance also received Quantum’s 2019 Employee Voice Award, honoring organizations for outstanding work in employee engagement.

We are honored to be recognized by our local business community, and thank all of the amazing staff and volunteers who make Donor Alliance such an amazing place to work!

For more information on our culture or careers at Donor Alliance, visit DonorAlliance.org/who-we-are/careers/.

julio 20, 2020

2020 Donor Dash: Thousands Honor, Celebrate & Recognize Together, Though Apart

While the 2020 Donor Dash looked a bit different this time around, thousands from across the country still gathered together, though apart to honor the lives of organ and tissue donors, celebrate the lives of organ and tissue recipients and recognize those who continue to wait for a lifesaving transplant.

This year, the Donor Dash transitioned to a week-long celebration of life that people from across the country could participate in from the safety of their own homes, cars, yards and neighborhoods! Take a look back at how we all took part in the 2020 Donor Dash… Together, Though Apart.

donor-dash-team-packet-pickup

Drive-through Packet Pick-Up Party, July 12

Our week-long celebration of life kicked off on Sunday, July 12 at our first ever Drive-through Packet Pick-up Party! One by one, hundreds of participating team captains and individuals drove their cars through our Donor Alliance Spruce Street office parking lot to grab their honorary signs and race packets. It was great seeing everyone, even if smiles were hidden by masks and we had to say “hello” from afar!

donor-dash-packet-pick-up

*Reminder, for those who weren’t able to pick up their packets or are waiting for their shirts/masks, we will mail them out as soon as we can. Thank you for your patience!*

Donor Dash Week, July 12-19

Every day throughout the week we had an activity for folks to participate in at home or on our Donate Life Colorado social media channels! From Move it Monday to Thankful Thursday, we had hundreds of people participate, share their story and who they were dashing for throughout the week.

See some of the highlights from our Facebook posts: Move it Monday, Team Tuesday and UCHealth Favorite Friday

Wash Park Car Parade, July 18

wash-park-car-parade-donor-family

Participants decorated their cars with blue and green Donate Life colors and drove through Wash Park to honor, celebrate and recognize their loved ones. Along the way, honorary signs displaying heroic donors, grateful recipients and courageous living donors, lined the route for all to see and honor. Thank you to the folks that participated in our first ever Wash Park Car Parade, you helped make it such an amazing success!

wash-park-car-parade-honorary-signs

Donor Dash Virtual 5k, July 19

The week-long schedule of events all led to the virtual 5k run for life on Sunday, July 19. While we weren’t all able to gather in Denver’s Washington Park this year as usual, we still had 3,443 people register and 161 teams participate. This year, folks from across the country were able to participate in their own state! We had participants stretch from the East to the West coast this year, honoring the heroic donor in their life.

Borrego-Family-Donor-Dash

Thank you to everyone that registered this year and helped us celebrate the gift of life!

Team Spotlight: Who Are You Dashing For?

Did you know that nearly 80% of participants are part of a Donor Dash team? Teams are a very important part of the event year after year. This year, we were honored to have several Donor Dash team captains share who they were dashing for. Take a look:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXfLXxZw9BE

Thank you again to this year’s participants, sponsors and volunteers for making the 21st Annual Donor Dash… Together, Though Apart such a success. In case you missed the live-streamed program on Sunday, July 19, give it a watch below! You can also view more event photos on our Facebook page or in our Flickr album. Be sure to save the date for next year’s Donor Dash on Sunday, July 18, 2021!

Remember, you can show your support year-round by saying Yes to organ, eye and tissue donation and sharing your decision with your loved ones. Sign up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor any time at DonateLifeColorado.org.

https://vimeo.com/439735735

julio 8, 2020

2020 Donor Dash – Together, Though Apart: Everything You Need to Know Before the Event

donor-dash-2020Get ready for the 2020 Donor Dash! On Sunday, July 12, Donor Dash Week officially kicks-off marking the beginning of the 21st Annual Donor Dash 5K run/walk! This year, thousands will join virtually to show their support for organ, eye and tissue donation at the 21st Donor Dash.

While this year's event will look difference and we are sad we can’t all be together like usual, we’ve planned some new and meaningful ways to honor the lives of organ and tissue donors, celebrate the lives of transplant recipients and recognize those who continue to wait for a lifesaving transplant. Here is everything you need to know to prepare for the event and make the most of your Donor Dash experience- Together, Though Apart!

But First, Have You Registered for the 2020 Donor Dash?

If you haven't, the good news is that you can still register online through the deadline. Check out the registration deadlines below:

  • Early registration for teams and individuals closes on Friday, July 10 at 5:59 p.m.
  • Individual late registration closes on Friday, July 17 at 5:59 p.m. Individuals have until Friday, July 17 sign up to participate in the Donor Dash 5K race! Please note this option is only available for individual participants. Donor Dash teams must register by the July 10 deadline.

Also, anyone wishing to pick up their packet early at the Drive-Through Pick-Up Party must register by the Friday, July 10 deadline. All participants must register online this year.

Friday, July 10 is the Last Day to Join a Team!

If you have already registered, if you're interested in joining a team, this is your last DD teamchance to do so online! Online team registration & early packet pick-up option closes on Friday, July 10 at 5:59 p.m.! You can also join a team by emailing us at DonorDash@donoralliance.org before 5:59 p.m. on Friday, July 10. As a reminder, we are unable to make changes to teams after the deadline, so make sure to join your team before it too late. Team captains, this is a reminder to check your team roaster before the deadline.

Drive-Through Packet Pick-up Party on Sunday, July 12 from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Come say hello and pick up your packets at the Drive-Through Packet Pick-up Party event at 200 Spruce Street in Denver! This event will honor social distancing guidelines as you will not be able to get out of your car when you are picking up your Donor Dash items. In order to pick up packets at the Pick-Up party on Sunday, July 12, you must have registered prior to 5:59 p.m. on Friday, July 10.

Also, a few things to remember:

  • Garden signs: All new and previously ordered signs will be available for pick-garden signsup at the Packet Pick-Up event. If you're unable to pick up your sign, please e-mail donordash@donoralliance.org.
  • Team captains: Don’t forget, it is your responsibility to pick up and disseminate your team’s packets and honorary signs. Team packets can also be picked up by a team designee.
  • Team captains with teams of less than 10 people: Your packets will be in individual packet pick up. You can still pick up for your entire team or unclaimed packets will be mailed.

Check the Schedule of Events for more info on Packet Pick-Up. We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us for Donor Dash Week!

Don't forget to join us Together, Though Apart for Donor Dash Week to honor, celebrate and recognize all week long! Make sure to show your support for organ, eye and tissue donation by sharing a picture of your garden signs or team on your social channels with #DonorDash and #WhoAreYouDashingFor. Check out the Donor Dash Week Activities here!

Tune in to the Donor Dash LIVE Program!

Join those touched by organ, eye and tissue donation and tune in to the 21st Annual live programDonor Dash Together, Though Apart’s live-streamed program.

The program will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 19 following the virtual 5k event. Join us online here or on our Facebook or YouTube for our live, virtual program.

Thank you so much for your support of the 2020 Donor Dash and organ, eye & tissue donation. We can't wait to see you, Together, Though Apart! For any additional information, visit our Donor Dash FAQs page.

julio 1, 2020

How to Talk with Your Kids About Organ and Tissue Donation

As a parent, how can you talk with your kids about organ, eye and tissue donation? We know it can be difficult to start this conversation, and it can be even more challenging when the conversation is between you and your kids. To help make starting that conversation a bit easier, we’re breaking down when and how to best talk to your teens about what signing up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor means and how one goes about making that decision.

So, What does Signing up as an Organ, Eye and Tissue 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. As an adult, your decision to be a donor takes priority over your family’s preferences, so be sure and discuss your decision with loved ones. This is why it's important for parents to have a conversation with their kids about donation. Our Donation Frequently Asked Questions page is a great resource for parents to learn more about the donation process and feel confident tackling the questions that may come up.

Talk with your Kids about Organ and Tissue Donation as they Get Ready to Apply for a Driver Permit or License.

Colorado and Wyoming residents can sign up to be organ, eye and tissue donors when obtaining or renewing their driver license or state ID, either in person or online. In Colorado, you can sign up at the driver's license office by saying Yes to organ, eye, and tissue donation, and in Wyoming, by checking Yes. When an individual signs up as a donor and receives their driver's permit, driver's license, or state ID, there will be a heart with a ‘Y’ inside it. The ‘Y’ is a symbol of your confirmation of saying Yes to organ, eye, and tissue donation.

What You Need to Know as a Parent or Legal Guardian

As their parent or legal guardian, you will have to sign in order to give consent for your teen to register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor. Once they turn 18, their decision will become a first-person authorization as other adults. This is a great time to ensure they understand the importance of and facts around donation. Most importantly, signing up to be a donor means you have made the decision to save lives by donating eligible organs, eyes, and tissues at the time of death.

How to Start the Conversation and Prepare Your Teen to Make a Decision Before Their Driver License Office Visit:

      • Use your driver license to start the conversation and talk with your kids about organ and tissue donation.
        • If you have a heart on your license: Many of our volunteers have shared that they started the conversation with their teens because their child asked them why there was a heart on it. Turn the question around and ask your teen if they know why there is a heart on the license. This is a great conversation starter.
        • If you don’t have a heart but are registered: Your driver's license is still a great prop to use to begin the conversation. Explain why there isn’t a heart on your license, how or when you registered, and what you intend to do the next time you renew your New_Wyoming_driver_license_state_id_heart_donation_symbollicense.
        • If you aren’t registered: Ask your teen if they have seen a heart on a driver's license and if they know what that means. Talk about what your decision is and why.
      • Share a story about organ or tissue donation or transplantation.
        • If you know someone who is a recipient: Share the story of a family member, friend, co-worker, neighbor or someone else you know who received an organ or tissue transplant. Did you know that many tissue grafts are used in different reconstructive surgeries, such as ACL replacement, skin grafts for burn patients, and coronary bypass? You may know someone who is a recipient and not even know it!
        • If you know someone who was a donor: Share the story of donation and how a loved one saved lives. This is the most impactful way for teens to understand why organ and tissue donation is life-saving.
        • Read our stories of hope: Organ and tissue transplants are life-saving, and our volunteers have shared why.
      • Use the resources on our websites:
junio 18, 2020

Show Your Support for Organ, Eye & Tissue Donation During These Times

The last few weeks have been unprecedented due to the COVID-19 health crisis and its impact on many aspects of our life, including donation and transplantation. ­­With nearly 2,000 people in Colorado and Wyoming waiting for lifesaving transplants, your community needs you, now more than ever to show your support for organ, eye and tissue donation.

Even amidst these challenging times, Coloradoans and Wyomingites’ giving spirit has remained strong. People in our communities keep supporting each other and saying Yes to donation. This is no surprise since Colorado is the state with the most registered organ, eye and tissue donors (69% of the population) and Wyoming is among the top 5 (63% of the population.) This is great news, but we still need more people to say Yes to saving lives with organ, eye and tissue donation.

Why signing up to be a donor is important during these times:

Nearly 2,000 people in Colorado and Wyoming are waiting for lifesaving organ transplants, and their illnesses don’t pause, even amidst the pandemic. Thousands support donation dual logomore are in need of lifesaving and healing tissue transplants to lead full, healthy lives. That’s why your community needs you, now more than ever, to show your support for donation and transplantation. Signing up as an organ, eye and tissue donor is the first step and gives hope to the hundreds of mothers, fathers, sons, grandparents, neighbors and friends in our communities that are in need of lifesaving transplants.

Here’s how You can show your support in meaningful ways:

  • Sign up as a donor: If you haven’t yet, sign up today! You can sign up online anytime without leaving your house at DonateLifeColorado.org or DonateLifeWyomingorg. Moreover, you can still sign up when you go to your local driver license office. Remember, things may look different at your local office, so learn what precautions are in place prior to your visit.
  • Already registered? Be sure to discuss donation with your loved ones and help your community by encouraging those closest to you to sign up. Take advantage of your video chats or phone calls with loved ones or your weekly virtual happy hour with friends; bring up the fact that you are a registered donor and challenge them to show their support as well by signing up.
  • Join us at our community events: Although we are apart, we can be together virtually to show our support of donation and transplantation. We are proud CO and WY advocates of all we are doing to still celebrate the gift of life together while being safe. Check out our upcoming events: 2020 Donor Dash and the Scavenger Hunt and join us from your homes and neighborhoods. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
  • Sign up as a Volunteer : Have you thought about volunteering with us? Well, now is the perfect time for you to sign up as a volunteer and event go through the training virtually. That way you’ll be ready to go and can help us when we resume our work in the community. Visit our volunteer page to sign up.
  • Spread the word during these times: We know things look a bit different now and, while we can’t meet in person as usual, you can still help us raise Social Handlesawareness by displaying your support for others to see:
    • Wear your Donate Life Colorado, Donate Life Wyoming or other Donate Life event attire when walking at the park, biking or grocery shopping.
    • Like us on social media and commit to sharing good news! Our stories feature second-chances at life, hope renewed and the truths of donation and transplantation.
    • Place the Donate Life twibbon on your Facebook profile picture to virtually share how you support the gift of life.

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Now that you know your community needs you, show your support for donation and transplantation! We invite you to take action and get involved in any way that you can. Every little show of support helps and brings good to your local community. Let’s work together, though apart, to continue to spread the message that organ, eye and tissue donation saves lives. Pick one way in which you can show your support today and run with it! As always, thank you for your continued support, for thinking of others and keeping hope alive by signing up as a donor. Stay strong, stay safe and say Yes to organ, eye and tissue donation.

mayo 29, 2020

Staff Spotlight: Diana Westcott

diana-westcott-staff-spotlightWe’re so proud to work with each and every one of our staff members here at Donor Alliance. In our Staff Spotlight, we like to take a minute to share who we are and why we work at Donor Alliance. In this month's staff spotlight, meet Diana Westcott, an Organ Recovery Coordinator! In that role, Diana helps manage heroic donors and coordinates solid organs for transplant. 

This Month's Staff Spotlight is on Diana Westcott:

Name: Diana Westcott

Position: Organ Recovery Coordinator

Years at Donor Alliance: 5 years

Tell us a little about your role with Donor Alliance: My role is to facilitate organ donation through the medical management of donors as well as the coordination of solid organs for transplant. As a nurse, I respond to the hospital when the decision to donate has been made and intervene to maximize organ donation. Some of my job roles include collection of information about the patient, administration of medications, performing bronchoscopy and vent management to optimize organ function. I allocate solid organs while collaborating with teams across the country about their placement and transportation. Throughout the case, I work with families and support their needs while at the hospital. In addition, I’m trusted to hemoydynamicly maintain and care of the donor during transport and in the operating room setting.

What made you want to work for Donor Alliance? As a new graduate nurse in New York, I frequently cared for organ donor patients. I learned to enjoy the challenge of their individual medical conditions, was intrigued by the process and felt a great connection to the donor families. A year into my nursing career, I became a donor advocate at my hospital and built friendships with the organ procurement staff. I took off to travel as a nurse but after a few years, I sought community, more autonomy and researched the Organ Procurement Coordinator role. Working with organ donors and their families brings me immense joy and gratitude for their selflessness. This work has been the greatest challenge and reward in my professional career.

What do you enjoy most about your role/what’s the most rewarding aspect of your role? The connections made in my role are the most rewarding part of my job and the challenge is what I enjoy the most. The connections made with donor families is immensely fulfilling. These families give me perspective on what the gift of life is and how caring and kind people truly are. Hearing stories of their loved one connects me to my mission and reminds me of my passion for the job. In addition, the connections to my teammates has been a special part of this role. The challenges of our job unite us in a unique way that has opened me up to great friendships. Although the challenges of the job are often greatly consequential and demanding, when overcoming these challenges, the gratification that comes with this mission is powerful.

When you’re not working, what do you like to do for fun? Pursuing a master’s degree as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner has been taking up much of my free time over the past two years but has not put a damper on fun. I’m an avid backcountry skier and member of an organization called Friends of Berthoud Pass. FOBP is a group of volunteers that educates the public on avalanche safety and awareness through free classroom sessions and the promotion of continuing avalanche education. Additionally, I enjoy mountain biking and gardening. This year I’m excited to grow almost all the ingredients to make salsa.

What piece of advice would you give your younger self? Never wish away time. Life is precious and even when going through difficult times, I try to be conscious not to wish time away anymore. Working with donors and their families has highlighted the value in each moment and has proven to me that light and growth can come from life’s most difficult struggles.

Thanks for reading our staff spotlight!

mayo 28, 2020

Advocate Spotlight: Maurisa Marquez

maurisa-marquez-advocate-spotlightDonor Alliance volunteers and advocates are the heart and soul of our efforts to inspire and inform our community about the importance of signing up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor in Colorado and Wyoming. Each of our volunteers and advocates has their own unique and inspiring story to tell. In this advocate spotlight, meet Maurisa Marquez, a living liver donor from Colorado Springs, CO.

Get to Know Maurisa Marquez in this Month's Advocate Spotlight:

What is your favorite thing about volunteering for Donor Alliance? My favorite memory is being with other volunteers who have similar experiences or to hear their stories. I loved doing the Colorado Springs Parade of Lights!

If you could have any superpower for 24 hours, what would you do? I would have the superpower of flying, because I would love to fly around the world.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Enjoy the moment and eat dessert first.

What’s your favorite holiday and why? My favorite holiday is Christmas because it is the most wonderful time of the year to be with family.

What is your favorite season and why? My favorite season is Fall because my birthday is during Fall and I love to watch the leaves change and fall.

What is your proudest accomplishment? My proudest accomplishment has been getting my dream job as a 5th grade teacher.

What is the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it? The last movie I saw was Knives Out and I would highly recommend it. It was good.

If you could take an all-expenses paid vacation, where would you go? If I could take an all expenses paid vacation I would go to New Zealand.

What are some of your favorite hobbies? I love playing volleyball, going snowboarding, reading and watching Netflix.

What song would you sing at karaoke night? I would sing Bohemian Rhapsody.