Cobertura Reciente en los Medios
Staff Spotlight: Kristi Colton
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Kristi Colton - Donor Alliance Recruiter[/caption]
We’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 let you learn more about who we are and why we work at Donor Alliance.
Name: Kristi Colton
Position: Recruiter
Years at Donor Alliance: 1 year, 4 months
Why you chose Donor Alliance: I chose Donor Alliance because I wanted to be in a position where I was giving back to our community. It didn’t hurt that all the staff I met during the process were so welcoming. I stay with Donor Alliance because of our mission. I’m inspired by the selflessness of donor families, the hope given to recipients, and my fearless coworkers every day.
Tell us about your background: My background comes from the staffing and recruiting industry. I spent quite a few years working for a staffing company doing large-scale outsourced staffing, then moved into more specific Business Services roles. Eventually I made my way up to Executive Recruitment for a variety of industries.
What do you enjoy doing away from the office: I’m a HUGE hockey fan- Go Pens! I love watching hockey, trying to make sure I get my FitBit steps in, and spending as much of my summer at Red Rocks as possible!
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received: Try not to burn bridges! Who knows when you will meet, see, or need someone’s assistance in the future!
If I won the lottery:. I would a) go to Italy! And b) spend the next hockey season seeing a game in every NHL arena.
A Mother Hears Her Son’s Heartbeat In the Woman Whose Life He Saved
After 24 years, Judi, a Donor Mother from Fort Collins, gets to hear her son's heart beating in the woman whose life he saved through organ donation. An incredibly powerful moment all made possible because of Shane's heroic donation. We were so incredibly honored to be a part of this incredible day.
Get the Facts: Are My Family or My Estate Ever Charged for Donation?
Many of those waiting may never get a second chance at life as it is estimated that every day in the U.S. 22 patients die because of the lack of donor organs. Many people who have never considered organ donation or have delayed registering to become a donor do so because of inaccurate information or assumptions about organ donation and transplantation.
One of the post common myths about organ donation is that there is an additional cost the organ and tissue donor’s family or their estate. However, there is in fact no cost to the donor’s family for organ, eye and tissue donation. The local, federally-designated organ procurement organization assumes all costs associated with recovering and processing organs and tissues for transplants once death has been declared and authorization is confirmed through either the donor registry, or from the family in lieu of registration. These costs are never passed on to the donor family. Donor Alliance’s culture and values are built on respecting and appreciating the gift of donation, which we have found is a comfort to both donor families and transplant recipients.
Eventually, the costs are reimbursed by transplant centers. Once a transplant is completed, the transplant center will bill private and public insurance plans. Hospital expenses incurred before the donation of organs or tissue and funeral expenses remain the responsibility of the donor’s family.
Get the facts on other common organ donation and transplantation myths by visiting Why Donate. For answers to other questions about organ donation and transplantation, visit our Donation FAQ page. To register to become an organ, eye and tissue donor you can say “yes” at the driver license office, or anytime at Donate Life Colorado or Donate Life Wyoming.
Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo Parade Day 2017
On a bright and hot July 11, 2017, Donate Life Wyoming joined other Casper groups to "Stirrup Some Fun" in the Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo Annual Parade. Advocates and volunteers gathered from all over Wyoming, donning cowboy hats and University of Wyoming t-shirts to show their support for organ, eye and tissue donation.
Cayde Brannaman, double lung recipient of Cheyenne, and Jason Wynia, heart recipient of Casper, walk in the parade to thank and honor the families of their donors. Cayde took aim with her water soaker and a mischievous smile at hundreds of Casper residents ready for the cool down.
Heart Recipient rides in the “Daddy of ’em all!”
Cheyenne Frontier Days PRCA Rodeo, truly the "Daddy of 'em all", included a special cowboy again this year.
Ryan Rochlitz, a CFD Alum and a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, competed again this year. He shared his story of receiving a life-saving gift.
Ryan says, "People may not think about registering to be a donor until they are directly affected by it. I would encourage anyone considering it to think about how they would feel if someone they loved needed a transplant. It’s also important to make sure you educate yourself so you can make a well informed decision based on facts and not a misconception you may have. You can be a hero to someone waiting for a lifesaving transplant."
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Donor Dash: What You Need to Know for Race Day
On Sunday, July 16, thousands of people will join us at Denver’s Washington Park to support organ, eye and tissue donation at the 18th annual Donor Dash 5K run/walk. To make the most of your Donor Dash experience, here is what you need to know to help you prepare for race day:
- Arrive Early! We’re hoping to break attendance records with 6,000 people, so come early, expect some congestion and use it as an opportunity to meet some other people who’ve been touched by the gift of life.
- Parking: Parking is available at South High School and transportation assistance will be provided from the parking lot to the start line, which is near Mississippi and Franklin. Please reserve transportation assistance for those who are unable to make the trek.
- Race Course and Map: You can find a race day map of the course and activities here. The course and layout are similar to prior Donor Dashes and should look familiar to return dashers.
- Race, Expo and Program Start Times: The race begins at 8:00 a.m. for runners and 8:05 a.m. for walkers. Dogs and strollers are welcome, but please wait to start your race with the back of the group and be courteous to the runners and walkers around you. The expo area opens at 8:00 a.m. near the finish line and the program begins at 9:30 a.m. sharp!
- Free Team Photos: Teams of 10 or more are eligible for a free team photo. Have all team members report to the team photo area near the start line to take advantage of professional team photos from 7:00 – 7:45 a.m. or following the race from 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. If you are trying to get your photo taken pre-race, make sure to do so before 7:30 a.m.
For any additional information, visit our Donor Dash FAQs page.
4 Things to Know Leading Up to Donor Dash: Registration and Packet Pick-Up
On Sunday, July 16, thousands of people will join us at Denver’s Washington Park to support organ, eye and tissue donation at the 18th annual Donor Dash 5K run/walk. To make the most of your Donor Dash experience, here is what you need to know about registration and packet pick-up leading up to race day:
- Team registration closes July 9th! No team members can be added or changed after July 9. Team captains, check your rosters and send out your last minute reminders!
- Individual online registration closes Friday, July 14 at 6:00 pm. For late-comers, on-site registration is available at Washington Park beginning at 7:00 a.m. on race day for an added $5.
- Early packet pick-up is Wednesday, July 12 from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm in the lobby of the Galleria Building located at 720 S. Colorado Blvd. in Denver. Anyone who registers online before Sunday, July 9 is able to pick up their materials at early packet pick-up. Anyone who registers after the 9th will need to pick up their packets on race day.
- Team captains must pick up and distribute packets for all team members on teams of 10 or more. If you are on a team, contact your team captain to pick-up your materials. Any teams with less than 10 members should pick up packets individually.
For any additional information, visit our Donor Dash FAQs page. We'll see you at Donor Dash!
Organ Donation Allows Grateful Dad to Spend Father’s Day with His Sons
By Douglas Carlson, liver transplant recipient
As a recipient of a life-saving liver transplant, when Father’s Day rolls around each year and I’m spending time – that I wasn’t sure I was going to get to have – with my sons, I like to reflect on my second chance at life, and to be thankful to my hero who made it all possible.
In 1992, I started having severe side aches. Shortly after, I was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a rare liver disease, and was placed on the transplant wait list. For the next seven years, I waited, hoping I would live long enough to see my two sons graduate from high school. On June 29, 1999, I received a life-saving transplant that has given me the time I was hoping for with my sons, and so much more.
Now, I work hard to keep healthy and honor my donor. I follow a good diet and play ice hockey two days a week. Last summer I was lucky enough to celebrate my 70th birthday and can’t thank my donor and donor family enough for the selfless gift that has helped to keep me alive. My donor family, whom I’ve had the privilege of meeting a number of times, holds a very special place in my heart.
In sharing my story, I am hopeful that I can help to inspire others to say “yes” to organ, eye and tissue donation. DonatelifeColorado.org is a great resource with the facts you need to make an informed decision about donation and to register as a donor online. You can also register while obtaining a driver’s license or state ID.
IN THE NEWS: The top organ, eye and tissue donation stories from around the nation in May
May’s biggest organ, eye and tissue donation news and stories from around Colorado, Wyoming and the U.S.:
Casper Woman Saves Her Stepdad’s Life
April was National Donate Life Month and in Wyoming, nearly 200 people await a lifesaving organ transplant. News13 met with Shea Bicknese, of Casper, who made the ultimate sacrifice when she donated one of her kidneys to her stepdad. Watch the story here.
Former Wyoming Senate president wants organ donation laws to change
Phil Nicholas served in the Wyoming Legislature for 19 years, the last two as the president of the Senate. But recently, the Republican was on the other side of the dais, asking lawmakers for help. He wants organ and tissue donation laws that make it easier for Wyomingites to give the gift of life. He also asked lawmakers to eliminate hurdles to transplants. Read more.
Facing inevitable liver transplant, young girl didn’t need to look far for a living donor
Peri Erickson and her mother participated in only the second pediatric live-donor transplant this year performed through a partnership between Children’s Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado Hospital. Read more.
Chance meeting ends in life-saving kidney transplant for vet
Edgar Roberts will receive his transplant Tuesday after meeting his donor, John Branson, by complete chance at a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Georgia. Read more.
Gov. Hickenlooper Signs Bill Extending, Improving Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Fund in Colorado
We are excited to share that Gov. Hickenlooper has signed House Bill 17-1027 into law after it passed unanimously in the Colorado House of Representatives and Senate.
The bill reauthorizes the Emily Keyes - John W. Buckner Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Fund for another decade, which allows applicants for a Colorado driver license, ID card, instruction permit or license renewal to donate $1 or more to the fund, at their discretion. The fund, that supports public education surrounding the lifesaving work of organ and tissue donation and transplantation here in our state, has been in existence for 20 years.
The bill also clarifies the process for becoming an organ and tissue donor in Colorado by stating a donor’s registration remains in effect until revoked by the donor, and does not need to be renewed.
We are proud of this bill’s success, which resulted from terrific bipartisan collaboration for the positive cause of organ and tissue donation.
The Emily Keyes - John W. Buckner Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Fund has had tremendous success in educating residents and its continuation means great things for Coloradans. The fund has already helped to: drive more than seven million organ and tissue donor registrations in the last decade, propel Colorado to the second highest donor registration rate in the country, publish millions of educational materials and host nearly 1,000 community events in the last five years and more.
Additionally, the bill’s clarification about donor registration remaining in effect without the need for renewal will help to increase the number of registered donors in Colorado, which will be a great public health benefit to all.
Finally, we are delighted that the bill added the name of the late Rep. John Buckner, (who represented House District 40 and became a donor after his death,) to the fund. John Buckner’s wife, Rep. Janet Buckner, was also a sponsor of the bill. The fund also bears the name of Emily Maureen Ellen Keyes, a corneal donor who was the tragic victim of the 2006 Platte Canyon High School shooting.
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Colorado Donor Family Tribute 2017: Lives Transformed
Every year, Donor Alliance hosts the Colorado Donor Family Tribute to recognize and honor the families of those who have given the gift of organ, eye and tissue donation. On Saturday, May 20th, 597 family members and 65 Donor Alliance staff members celebrated the lives of 131 organ, eye and tissue donors.
Tissue recipient, Judy Walker, told her story about her devastating osteosarcoma (bone cancer) diagnosis at age 39. Facing amputation, Judy received the gift of a donor femur, which allowed her to walk through a sandy beach in Costa Rica after her surgery.
Erika White, the mother of a multi-organ recipient, told the story of her daughter Emerson, and what the gift of time with Emerson has meant to her family.
The day ended with music by Front Range Strings, directed by Tori Woodrow, and a candle lighting ceremony, in which the families were invited to light a candle in rememberance of their loved one.
We are fortunate that these families have given so generously at such a difficult time. A single organ donor can save the lives of up to eight lives, while a tissue donor can save or heal more than 75 people.
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Young NASCAR Driver Promotes Organ Donation – FOX 31, Denver, CO
NASCAR driver Joey Gase is used to adjusting on the fly, but when his mother died suddenly in April 2011, it felt as if his life spun out of control. His mother, Mary Jo, died of a brain aneurysm. What the family didn’t know was that she was an organ donor. Her organs have directly saved or enhanced 66 lives. In addition to his Xfinity Series races, Gase also carries the “Donate Life” sticker on his race car.