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Why Don’t More People Register as Organ, Eye and Tissue Donors?
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’s license means.
A large number of Colorado and Wyoming residents are registered organ, eye and tissue donors; in fact, both states continue to maintain registration rates higher than the national average. However, independent research we conducted in 2015 also revealed that there is a disparity between the number of people who say that they support donation in theory and the number of people who actually register as donors. When asked, 93 percent of respondents in Colorado and 94 percent of respondents in Wyoming say they support organ donation, but only 75 and 70 percent of respondents are registered donors in those states, respectively.
So, why don’t more people choose to register to donate?
That’s a tough question that doesn’t have an easy answer. Respondents listed common reasons for not registering as simply not getting around to it or being uncomfortable with the overall idea of donation. For 30 percent of non-registrants in Wyoming and 35 percent in Colorado, there is no real reason or they just hadn’t really thought about it.
Like many issues, unless it touches you personally it can sometimes be difficult to truly grasp the importance. However, we encourage everyone to learn about the many transplant recipients that are living right here in Colorado and Wyoming. Also families of donors, who find solace in knowing that their lost loved ones have given new life to patients in need. You can read some of these inspiring stories from our communities here.
Seventeen percent of respondents in both Colorado and Wyoming fell prey to one of the common misconceptions of organ, eye and tissue donation; they didn’t believe they were healthy enough to be donors. Therefore, they didn’t register. Don’t rule yourself out. Regardless of your age or your medical history, anyone can register as an organ, eye and tissue donor. Medical tests at the time of donation will determine which organs and tissues are suitable for transplantation.
To learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation and the reasons to say “yes” to donation, visit our “Why Donate” page, and to register to become a donor, visit Donate Life Colorado.
In Honor of National Kidney Month
This March, in honor of National Kidney Month and World Kidney Day on March 10, we urge Colorado and Wyoming residents to think about the health of their kidneys.
Kidneys work as the body’s chemical purifier, filtering waste from 150 quarts of blood a day and performing vital functions that help direct red blood cell production and regulate blood pressure. Over time, the kidneys can become damaged with little or no physical symptoms. According to the National Kidney Foundation, approximately 26 million Americans suffer from kidney disease and most don’t even know it. Kidney disease develops slowly, and because there are few symptoms, treatment is often delayed until the condition has already caused the body to deteriorate.
Early diagnosis is key, so make sure to talk to your doctor about getting tested annually. There are also a few simple steps you can take to help protect your kidneys, including reducing the amount of processed foods in your diet, exercising regularly and staying hydrated.
In Colorado and Wyoming, there are nearly two thousand people on the waiting list for a kidney transplant. The average time a patient spends on the waiting list is 3-5 years. If you or a loved on are currently waiting on the transplant list, contact your transplant center or visit organdonor.gov for more information about the resources available pre and post transplant, along with family and caregiver support information. For more information on how to register to become an organ, eye or tissue donor visit Donate Life Colorado or Donate Life Wyoming.
Tiffany’s Story
Diagnosed with complete cirrhosis of the liver and told by doctors to get her affairs in order, Tiffany's life was saved because her hero said yes to organ, eye and tissue donation. “I want to encourage others to understand the importance of this incredible gift of donation." she says, "My transplant has allowed me a second lease on life and time with my family."
Carmen Tarleton – Facial Transplant Recipient
As part of our Donation Summit program we were honored to have face transplant recipient Carmen Tarleton as a special guest speaker.
In 2007, Carmen was brutally attacked with lye by her estranged husband. In 2013 she underwent a ground-breaking face transplant. Now, Carmen travels around the world to tell others about her story of survival and triumph. We sat down with her to learn more about this amazing woman.
* It's important to note that Vascularized Composite Alltransplantations (VCA) currently only take place at a few select transplant centers around the country. It's also important to note that that any recovery is authorized outside of the donor registry.
Donor Alliance celebrates National Donor Day with 9 News
National Donor Day, celebrated on Feb. 14, is an observance that honors organ and tissue donors, celebrates the lives of recipients and recognizes the more than 122,000 Americans and 2,700 Coloradans who are currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant.
Donor Alliance Advocates for Life volunteer Joe Drennan, of Highlands Ranch, celebrated his 43rd wedding anniversary on Valentine’s Day. An anniversary he may not be here for had he not been the fortunate recipient of a heart transplant in 2014. The transplant saved his life; he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy 7 years earlier.
Joe and his wife Pam Drennan joined Andrea Smith of Donor Alliance and Ryan Haarer on 9 News Sunday morning to share their story, and encourage other Coloradans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors.
Donor sister letter to the editor: Say “yes”
We thank Melanie, of Fort Collins, for sharing her heartfelt advocacy for the cause of organ, eye and tissue donation with her hometown newspaper over the holidays. Melanie is the sister of an organ donor; check out her message:
[caption id="attachment_8799" align="alignright" width="208"]
Melanie, the sister of an organ donor, from Fort Collins, CO[/caption]Letter: Say “yes” to organ, tissue donation
Between the gift-buying frenzy and holiday festivities, it can be hard to remember to slow down and be grateful for what you have this season. As the sister of a deceased eye and tissue donor, the holidays are a time when I like to remember my heroic brother’s gifts of life, and to be grateful for the second chance he gave to so many others.
My brother Dirk made the decision to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor when he was 18-years-old. Tragically, just over a decade later, in 2013, Dirk’s life was cut short after an accidental fall, and his commitment to being a donor was fulfilled. After Dirk’s death, he became a tissue and eye donor. Just one tissue donor can save or heal the lives of up to 50 people.
36K African Americans Wait For Transplants
In celebration of Black History Month, we recognize the more than 36,000 African Americans who are waiting for a lifesaving transplant right now. In our community alone there are more than 250 African Americans waiting for an organ transplant.
Transplants matches made within the same ethnic group can be more compatible, which is why it’s important that more African Americans and other minorities register to be organ, eye and tissue donors. You can designate your decision and register as an organ, eye and tissue donor today at DonateLifeColorado.org or DonateLifeWyoming.org.
Severity of illness, time spent waiting, blood/tissue type, size and distance are the factors that determine a person’s place on the organ transplant waiting list.
Your decision to register could help save the lives of people like Floyd, a pastor from Colorado Springs who is currently waiting for a lifesaving kidney transplant.
Vinny Castilla Public Service Announcement
Heroes say yes! Thank you to baseball great and Colorado hometown hero Vinny Castilla for supporting organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation. You can learn more and register as a donor at DonateLifeColorado.org!
Thousands Celebrate the Gift of Life at 2015 Donor Dash
On July 19th, Donor Alliance hosted the 16th Annual Donor Dash at Washington Park in Denver. More than 4,600 registered participants gathered to support and spread awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation. The Donor Dash is a 5K run/walk to honor the lives of organ, eye and tissue donors, celebrate the lives of organ, eye and tissue recipients and recognize those who continue to wait for a lifesaving transplant.
Across the United States, more than 120,000 people are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. In Colorado and Wyoming alone, 2,716 people are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. The Donor Dash provides this awareness to the community, allowing others to understand the importance and need for organ, eye and tissue donors; and ultimately encouraging those who are not registered to consider registering. Linda Seavey, liver recipient, expressed her gratitude for registered donors after participating in the Donor Dash. “I am so grateful for people that are selfless and generous and are willing to register to be organ donors. There are people like me, lots of people, that owe their lives to them and I just can’t say how important that is.”
This event provides those directly impacted by transplantation and donation the opportunity to honor, celebrate and recognize their connection with others. Andrea Smith, the Public Relations Director at Donor Alliance, explains the event is about “the camaraderie, the spirit and the celebration of life. Donor families mix in with recipients; it’s that kinship that these families and loved ones feel with each other, it’s unique to any other event.”
The Donor Dash has evolved into one of the largest organ, eye and tissue donation awareness events in Colorado. It occurs annually the third Sunday in July. The 17th Annual Donor Dash will be Sunday, July 17th 2016.
Donor Dash is an annual signature event presented by Donor Alliance. Donor Alliance is the federally-designated, Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) and American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) accredited, non-profit organ procurement organization serving Colorado and most of Wyoming. As a recognized leader in facilitating the donation and recovery of transplantable organs and tissues, Donor Alliance’s mission is to save lives through organ and tissue donation and transplantation.