Cobertura Reciente en los Medios
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.
Advocate Spotlight: Julie Spear
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Julie Spear - Donor Mother[/caption]
Donor Alliance volunteers and advocates are the heart and soul of our efforts to inspire and inform our community about the importance of registering as organ, eye and tissue donors in Colorado and Wyoming. Each of our volunteers and advocates has their own unique and inspiring story to tell. This month, we are featuring Julie Spear, a Donor Mother from Boulder, CO.
What is your favorite memory volunteering with Donor Alliance?
At the Auto Show, a young boy was asking me questions about donation and after answering his questions I asked him if we was going to be a registered donor when he grew up. He replied "No! I'm going to be a cop!". We then discussed how he could be both.
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Don't question your past decisions, you know that you always did the best you could at that moment in time.
If you could take an all-expenses paid vacation, where would you go?
I would go to Africa on a safari.
What is the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?
The last book I read was The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony. I absolutely recommend it, especially to anyone who loves elephants.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Raising my two sons Evan and Colin to be good, kind and giving human beings.
What song would you sing at karaoke night?
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
What is the first thing you would do if you won the lottery?
After I regained consciousness, I would board a plane for a much needed vacation!
What is one thing you could not go a day without?
Without question my family and friends, followed very closely by Chapstick!
Staff Spotlight: Kristina Geissler
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Kristina Geissler - Recovery Center Coordinator[/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: Kristina Geissler
Position: Recovery Center Coordinator
Years at Donor Alliance: 1 year
Why you chose to work at Donor Alliance: After working nearly 10 years in the eye banking world I felt that I wanted, or perhaps needed, a new challenge and the tissue/organ side of the donation seemed the most logical choice!
Why do you like working at Donor Alliance: I like working for Donor Alliance because of the strong support of innovation and encouragement I feel from the Executive Leadership Team and my direct supervisor. In today’s workplace it is rare to have a CEO send personal, handwritten thank you cards and senior leadership that actually care about you as a person. I feel that my time spent here is worthwhile and what I do has a positive impact on the company.
What does donation and transplantation mean to you: Donating a loved one’s tissues and organs is such a personal connection to the greater good and that is a wonderful description of the circle of life. It’s hard not to feel on top of the world when you hear a heart-breaking story with a positive ending because the transplant was a success.
Any direct connection to donation and transplantation: Yes, but not the way you’d think. In 2006 a chance meeting during a donation and recovery introduced me to my husband, Joe. Every time I think about or tell the story of how Joe and I met, I say a little prayer for that donor. Had I not gone out to recover eyes that night on that donor, I would’ve never met the love of my life. And to that donor, I am forever grateful.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working: I enjoy rollerblading, yoga, cooking, and hot spring soaks with Joe!
Mexican Consulate in Denver celebrates National Blue and Green Day
On April 21, the Mexican Consulate in Denver hosted its second ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate National Blue & Green Day in an effort to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation within the Hispanic community. This special day in April encourages the public to dress in blue and green to raise awareness on the lifesaving impact of organ, eye and tissue donation.
For the second year in a row, the Consulate General of Guatemala in Denver participated in the ceremony and expressed its continuous commitment to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation. In addition, the newly appointed Salvadoran Consul participated in the ceremony to show his support for the cause.
Jaime, a young Hispanic cornea recipient from Aurora, CO and a Donor Alliance advocate, shared his story with the community in an effort to inspire people to register as organ, eye and tissue donors. “My transplant changed my life…I want to inspire more people to register as organ and tissue donors. We especially need more Hispanics to register. I hope my story can inspire more people to register,” said Jaime.
IN THE NEWS: The top organ, eye and tissue donation stories from around the nation in April
April’s biggest organ, eye and tissue donation news and stories from around Colorado, Wyoming and the US:
Crash Victim’s Family Thanks First Responders, Touts Organ Donation
The family of Cody Crosby thanked first responders. Nearly four years ago, Cody Crosby died when the car he was riding in hit an abandoned truck that was parked on the ramp at I-70 and Wadsworth. Crosby was a registered organ donor and his death saved the lives of three others. Watch the story here.
Hall of Famer Rod Carew’s heart transplant came from a former NFL player
Hall of Famer Rod Carew underwent a successful heart and kidney transplant in Los Angeles in December. Carew, now 71, had been using a mechanical device to pump blood following a massive heart attack in September 2015. According to Garrett Downing, the heart and kidney Carew received came from former NFL player Konrad Reuland. Reuland, who played for four teams during his career, died at 29 due to a brain aneurysm in December. Read more.
Transplant touchdown: Gavin Maxwell, new liver control the gridiron
After a rare diagnosis, Gavin Maxwell received a new liver. He and his family battled back to normalcy, but there was one catch: Gavin couldn’t play football. That was a though-blow for the then 10-year old who still calls the sport his favorite. However, he was wise beyond his years and didn’t take no for an answer. Gavin became the youngest official within the Sheridan Recreation District’s Little Guy Football program. Read more.
For Lead native, organ donation lifelong passion
Sue Dunn is the president and CEO of Donor Alliance, a Denver-based organ procurement organization that serves Colorado and most of Wyoming. She was recently elected vice president/president-elect of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing board of directors. Read more.
After Cheating Death Twice, Ironman Powers Through Races with Another Person’s Heart
Heart transplant recipient Derek Fitzgerald runs, bikes and swims for a reason: “to be the best custodian of my body.” Within two years of his transplant, Fitzgerald became the first American heart transplant recipient to endure the 2.4-mile swim, 112 mile-bike ride, and marathon that make up an Ironman triathlon. Read more.
Spotlight on the DMV: Colorado DRIVES
Over the last three years, the Department of Revenue’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has been upgrading its information technology (IT) systems, which includes online services. On February 21, 2017, the first phase of Colorado DRIVES (Driver License Record Identification Vehicle Enterprise Solution) was successfully launched replacing the decades old Driver License System (DLS). But what does it mean?
Quite simply, as an effort to support the Governor’s plan to reduce wait times, the internal IT computer systems used by DMV and County employees to issue driver licenses, permits and ID cards and register your car will become more flexible, reliable accurate and provide an integrated solution for both driver and vehicle services. The vehicle services will be upgraded in August 2018, replacing a system installed between 1983 and 1988. In addition, the new IT system will offer dramatically more services online.
With the implementation of the first phase of the Colorado DRIVES system, there are 11 new online services available. The new slogan, “Skip the trip to the DMV with online services!” reminds Colorado residents that the DMV has made it easy to complete many essential tasks, including renewing your driver license and vehicle registration. You can also make an appointment, update your address, request your driving record and more, all online! There are some parameters that must be met in order to renew online, so be sure to visit the DMV website to prepare for your renewal, whether in person or online.
Celebrating National Donate Life Month with Joey Gase at the Denver Auto Show
This year, Donor Alliance kicked-off National Donate Life Month in Colorado with NASCAR driver, Joey Gase at the Denver Auto Show. Joey was only 18 when he made the courageous decision to donate his mother’s organs after she suddenly passed away from a brain aneurysm in 2011. He now races in her honor and has since become a passionate advocate for organ, eye and tissue donation.
Denver Auto Show attendees of all ages visited the Donor Alliance booth April 5-9 to ‘show their hearts’ for organ, eye and tissue donation by painting a red heart on Joey’s car. Many people came up to the car with their driver licenses out, ready to paint. Joey took time to sign autographs and take pictures with everyone that stopped by the booth. The result was not only thousands of meaningful conversations where people walked away having learned something new; we were also able to register 16 new donors, 12 of whom had previously said no.
If you weren’t able to make it out to celebrate National Donate Life Month at the Denver Auto Show, there are still plenty of celebrations throughout the month where Coloradans can ‘show their hearts,’ including this week. April 15-21, Coloradans can get discounts from local businesses for showing the hearts on their license or wear blue and green in celebration of National Donate Life Month. Visit our Show Your Heart and Save Week page for a list of participating locations.
In Colorado, there are currently nearly 2,500 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant and hundreds more that could benefit from eye and tissue donations. You can help by saying “yes” at the driver license office or Driver Services, or anytime at Donate Life Colorado.
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