Cobertura Reciente en los Medios
Deceased vs. Living Donation: What Are You Committing to When You Say Yes at the Driver License Office?
In 2015, we conducted a study examining Colorado and Wyoming residents’ sentiments about organ, eye and tissue donation. Throughout 2016, we will be sharing some of the results on Donation Essentials to educate on the donation process, barriers to registration and what exactly the little heart on the driver license means.
Let's talk deceased vs. living donation and discuss what you are committing to when you say yes at the drive license office.
Deceased vs. Living Donation:
There are two ways to be a donor: deceased donation and living donation:
- Deceased donation is choosing to donate your organs, eyes and tissues to patients in need 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.
- Living donation is choosing to donate an organ or part of an organ to another individual while you are alive. Only certain organs can be donated while living, eyes and tissues cannot.
Both living and deceased donation can be lifesaving. However, some confusion exists about the difference between the two. Independent research we conducted in 2015 revealed that there is some confusion among Colorado and Wyoming residents when it comes to which type of donation is covered by donor registration, and in turn represented with a heart on the state driver license.
According to independent research that we conducted in 2015, about 25 percent of respondents in Colorado and Wyoming mistakenly believe that the heart or hearts on a state driver license represents a person’s willingness to donate while living, with most of those residents believing that the heart represents willingness to donate via both deceased and living donation. In fact, the heart on a state driver license means the owner of the license has registered to donate their organs, eyes and tissues at the time of their death, only. Living donation is separate and unrelated to the state donor registry.
Living donation offers another option for transplant candidates waiting for a life-saving donation. However, living donation must be considered personally and discussed directly with a transplant center. To help someone through living donation, or to learn more about the process, visit our resource page.
To learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation and the reasons to say Yes to deceased donation, visit our “Why Donate?” page, and to sign up to become a donor, visit Donate Life Colorado or Donate Life Wyoming.
In Celebration of National Minority Donor Awareness Week
By: Jaime Tellez, Cornea transplant recipient
In 2008, at six years old, I developed aggressive cataracts on both eyes that grew so quickly that I was nearly blind within four weeks of being diagnosed. Soon after having surgery on both of my eyes, surgeons determined that I had cornea damage on my right eye from the surgery and needed a transplant.
I received a successful partial cornea transplant and was able to go from near blindness to needing only one eye drop per day and my glasses to enjoy all of the activities that I had been restricted from doing prior to my transplant. I was given a new opportunity to be able to see all that life has to offer, thanks to my donor.
As a member of the Latino community, it is important that I share my story this week because August 1-7 marks the 18th annual National Minority Donor Awareness Week. National Minority Awareness Week honors minorities who have been donors and encourages others to register as donors. To help increase awareness of the need for more organ, eye and tissue donors, especially among minorities, and to honor my donor, my family and I will be planting a tree on Friday, August 5 at 10 a.m. at Del Mar Park in Aurora, Colorado.
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 register as a donor online. You can also register by saying “yes” when you are obtaining a driver license or state ID. Anyone can register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor, regardless of age, race, medical history, religion or income. Even those with chronic conditions, such as hepatitis and diabetes, can register to give the gift of life at any age.
Advocate Spotlight: Janet Rost
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Janet regularly volunteers her time as an Adocate for Life with Donor Alliance at events such as the Denver Auto Show.[/caption]
In the fall of 2011, Janet Rost fell into end stage liver disease. Her doctor at the time encouraged her to complete her bucket list without delay, but thanks to the ultimate gift from someone she'll never know, she is living life to the fullest with a new liver.
Janet's problems began when she unknowingly contracted Hepatitis C from a blood transfusion after a near fatal car accident over 30 years earlier. In the 13 years she knew of her disease, she underwent interferon treatment and actively tried to heal herself through healthy, clean living. It wasn't enough and she went onto the waiting list for a transplant while rapidly slipping into liver failure.
The day she learned about her new liver was the happiest of her life, rivaled only by her wedding day and the birth of her son.
Seven weeks after the transplant, Janet walked the Donor Dash 5K in honor of her donor. These days, she spends as much time as possible with her son, volunteers with Donor Alliance, and rides with Team Transplant's cycling team.
"My husband and I take time to appreciate life with each other and I take care of this liver as if I'm sharing it with my donor. She lives on inside me and I never take life for granted," she said.
Thousands Celebrate the Gift of Life at the record-breaking 2016 Donor Dash
On July 17, Donor Alliance hosted the 17th annual Donor Dash at Washington Park in Denver. Nearly 6,000 registered participants broke attendance records while gathering to support and spread awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation. The Donor Dash is a 5K run/walk that honors the lives of organ, eye and tissue donors; celebrates the lives of organ, eye and tissue recipients; and recognizes those who continue to wait for a lifesaving transplant. A big thank you to all of the participants, speakers, volunteers and organizations who helped make the 17th annual Donor Dash a huge success! Click to watch some of the local news coverage of the 2016 Donor Dash on 9News and 7News in Denver.
Watch our wrap up video of the 2016 Donor Dash!
Staff Spotlight: Myrna Garcia
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: Myrna Garcia
Position: Family Support Coordinator
Years at Donor Alliance: 15!
Why you chose to work at Donor Alliance: I started out working as a freelance translator for some of the training videos and authorization documents for Donor Alliance. When an Family Support Coordinator position came up I jumped at the chance to work here full time!
Why do you like working at Donor Alliance: I am constantly impressed with the dedication and teamwork shown by my colleagues. Never a dull moment in this work! In addition, we get amazing benefits, scheduling, and other considerations. It’s no wonder that Donor Alliance continues to win the Top 100 Workplaces award and we are well on our way to Baldrige recognition!
What does donation and transplantation mean to you: We quite literally and directly save lives every day. Not many people can say that about their jobs. It’s an honor to work with our donor families.
Any direct connection to donation and transplantation: Our family had two experiences with donation and the process was fascinating to me. The first one was with the loss of my mother; someone from Donor Alliance came to us to explain that she was not a candidate for donation due to medical issues. A few years later we lost my uncle and he was worked up as an organ and tissue donor. Most people never have the opportunity to see the donation process and I was overwhelmed with the professionalism and compassion that my family experienced during our time of loss.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working (hobbies and such): I have three teenagers, three dogs and two cats. Not much “free” time with all of that going on, but I love doing home improvement projects and learning skills like tiling, installing wood floors and landscaping. Our family goes to Comic Con every year and we enjoy geeking out together!
Eric Studesville Partners with Donor Alliance to Raise Awareness for Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation
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Eric Studesville, a coach for the Denver Broncos[/caption]
Eric Studesville, a coach for the Denver Broncos, has partnered with Donor Alliance to honor organ, eye and tissue donors, candidates, recipients and their families while also raising awareness for the cause. We are thrilled to have Eric’s support along with all of our advocates and volunteers that have been touched by donation.
Eric's Story:
A passionate advocate for organ, eye and tissue donation – and a registered donor himself – Eric witnessed first-hand the impact of a lifesaving organ transplant when his mother gave the gift of life to a close family friend through a living kidney donation. While Eric realizes that not everyone can be a living organ donor, he hopes that by joining forces with Donor Alliance he can inspire and encourage all residents to say ‘yes’ to being an organ, eye and tissue donor at the time of their death.
Join Eric at the Donor Dash:
Join Eric and thousands of other Coloradans touched by organ, eye and tissue donation at the 17th annual Donor Dash 5k run/walk this Sunday, July 17 at Washington Park at 8 a.m. Eric will be signing autographs, posing for pictures and meeting with participants in the expo area from 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Register for the Donor Dash, today!
Volunteers Walk to Represent The Nearly 200 Wyomingites In Need of a Lifesaving Transplant
On July 12th, Donor Alliance will participate in the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo Parade to raise awareness for Donate Life Wyoming - the Wyoming organ, eye and tissue registry. Donor families, organ recipients, living donors, and friends will all walk to represent the nearly 200 Wyomingites that are currently on the waiting list for a lifesaving organ transplant.
In honor of this year’s parade theme “Find Your Adventure”, parade walkers will receive commemorative “Treasure Life’s Journey” t-shirts and carry a special banner along with Donate Life balloons. We'll have giveaways and plenty of candy for the thousands of parade goers that will gather in downtown Casper for this annual tradition.
All are welcome to join in the fun as we encourage and inspire Wyomingites to register as organ, eye and tissue donors to save and heal lives! More information can be found here.
Inspiring Colorado and Wyoming Residents to Say “Yes” Through Advocates For Life
At Donor Alliance, our mission is to save lives through organ and tissue donation, and our volunteers are a vital component in fulfilling that mission. The Donor Alliance Volunteer program, Advocates for Life, is made up of nearly three hundred donor family members, transplant recipients, transplant candidates and others who have been touched by donation and transplantation.
The program begins with a training session, in which advocates are given a full introduction to Donor Alliance, the Donate Life brand and the donor registry process, among other important areas prior to volunteering for a community event. Advocates assist Donor Alliance in taking action towards registering organ and tissue donors throughout Colorado and Wyoming, typically at community and large events across both states.
We view our Advocates for Life as essential partners in raising awareness about organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Our volunteers are the heart and soul of Donor Alliance and help share the importance of registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor and sharing their decision with their family and friends.
To learn more about the Advocates for Life Program and how to become a volunteer, visit our volunteer page.
Cayde – Lung Recipient – Cheyenne, WY
HOSA Awards ‘Partner of the Year’ to Transplantation Science Program
Jason – Heart Recipient – Casper, WY
In 2009 Jason’s world was turned upside down when he went from a healthy, active life to nearly dying in just a month. He began experiencing symptoms of a cold that got progressively worse. Upon visiting a doctor, he was diagnosed with an unusual strain of pneumonia. Just four weeks later he had congestive heart failure, a condition that threatened his life.
A left ventricular assist device, or LVAD, was implanted in Jason’s chest to help his heart pump blood throughout his body and keep him alive. He was also placed on the waiting list for a heart transplant.
Jason waited 9 long months using the LVAD, which required him to carry around an attached computer and replace batteries frequently. During that time, he received one false alarm from the transplant center when they believed they had a heart for him, which later fell through. Finally, in February of 2010, Jason received word from his doctors that a heart was ready. Twelve hours later, Jason was in surgery.
Within a matter of weeks, Jason was on the road to a full recovery. In the years that followed Jason resumed full-time work and an active life with his wife, including hiking, camping, seeing live music and more. He has also completed his Business Degree in Human Resources.
“Five years ago, I was dead. Because of my transplant, I am alive. And I couldn’t be alive without my donor,” Jason said. “I am thankful for every day that I wake up and can honor my donor family by continuing to keep their loved one’s memory alive by being strong and helping others whenever I can.”
Commemorating National Donate Life Month 2016
For National Donate Life Month last month, Colorado and Wyoming joined celebrations across the country to help encourage residents in both states to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to honor those that have saved lives through the gift of donation.
Trees were planted and dedicated across the two-state area by transplant recipients honoring their donors, living donors celebrating the life of their recipients and families of donors memorializing their loved ones who gave the gift of life.
Colorado and Wyoming residents and businesses were also invited to join in on the month’s celebrations on National Blue & Green Day, Friday, April 15. Many local news anchors joined residents and organizations across the region in wearing blue or green to promote the success of organ, eye and tissue transplantation and the need for registered donors.
Thank you to those who planted and dedicated trees last month, and to all of the Colorado and Wyoming residents and organizations that helped make National Donate Life Month 2016 a huge success!
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