Cobertura Reciente en los Medios

Marzo 2021 marca un año de la pandemia: Te Traemos Las 5 preguntas principales sobre COVID-19 y la donación de órganos

Desde el inicio de la pandemia, hemos recibido muchas preguntas relacionadas con el impacto que tiene el COVID-19 en la donación y el trasplante de órganos, ojos y tejidos. Compilamos una lista de las cinco preguntas más frecuentes y las respondimos a continuación.

Las 5 preguntas más frecuentes sobre COVID-19 y la donación de órganos:

¿Puedo inscribirme para la donación de órganos incluso si tengo COVID-19?

¡Sí! Incluso si diste positivo a COVID-19 en algún momento, aún puedes registrarte para ser donante de órganos, ojos y tejidos después de fallecer. Los pacientes con COVID-19 recuperados pueden ser elegibles para la donación de órganos al momento de su muerte. Es importante recordar que cualquier persona de cualquier edad o con cualquier tipo de historial médico puede registrarse como donante. ¡Así que No te descartes! Y Regístrate en cualquier momento en DoneVidaColorado.org

¿Alguien puede ser donante de órganos y tejidos si murió de COVID-19?

No, por el momento. Si alguien fallece por COVID-19 activo o agudo, actualmente esta es una exclusión médica para la donación de órganos y tejidos. Sin embargo, es importante tener en cuenta que como con muchas otras enfermedades, es probable que la ciencia y los avances médicos cambien eso con el tiempo e incluso se espera que el coronavirus activo no sea algo que descarte la donación en los próximos años, al igual que la gripe. (Tenga en cuenta que esto es diferente de la Pregunta 1, que habla de quién puede registrarse para ser donante. Esta pregunta y respuesta se refiere específicamente a la elegibilidad de una persona para ser donante al fallecer del COVID-19 activo).

¿Qué precauciones está tomando Donor Alliance para garantizar la seguridad y prevenir la exposición?

Para proteger la salud y la seguridad de nuestros empleados y de los receptores de trasplantes durante esta pandemia, Donor Alliance está evaluando a cada posible donante, maximizando el trabajo virtual y limitando la cantidad de personal que accede a los hospitales. Todos los donantes elegibles se someten a pruebas de COVID-19 mediante pruebas moleculares, conocidas como pruebas de PCR (reacción en cadena de la polimerasa) que detectan el material genético del virus. El Centro para el Control de Enfermedades (CDC) pos sus siglas en inglés, cita este tipo de método de prueba como altamente preciso.

¿El COVID-19 provocó una interrupción en los trasplantes?

NO, la donación y el trasplante de órganos y tejidos se siguen realizando, y nunca pararon aun con la pandemia. Con casi 2,000 personas en nuestra área esperando un trasplante que les salve la vida, la necesidad de órganos trasplantables es una crisis de salud pública en curso en nuestra región y en todo el país. Donor Alliance mantiene su compromiso de maximizar todas las oportunidades de donación mientras mantiene a su personal, receptores y la comunidad a salvo. El gobierno federal ha clasificado los trasplantes de órganos como cirugías esenciales y no electivas que deben continuar. Para obtener información sobre la donación en vida específicamente, comuníquese con uno de los cuatro centros de trasplante en nuestra área, ya que facilitan ese proceso.

¿Los receptores de trasplantes deben recibir la vacuna COVID-19?

Alentamos a los receptores de trasplantes a que se conecten con el equipo de atención de su centro de trasplantes para recibir orientación sobre su situación individual. La American Transplant Foundation también lanzó un seminario web sobre las vacunas COVID-19 y la comunidad de trasplantes. También puede consultar la última hoja de preguntas frecuentes sobre la vacuna COVID-19 de la Sociedad Estadounidense de Trasplantes.

A medida que se publica nueva información sobre COVID-19, continuaremos actualizando periódicamente nuestros recursos e información en lo que respecta a la donación y los trasplante. La nueva información suele ir acompañada de preguntas o inquietudes. Si tienes alguna pregunta, comuníquese con nosotros. También puede seguirnos en nuestra página de Facebook Done Vida Colorado para obtener información actual

#ShowYourHeart for National Donate Life Month 2021

We are proud that Colorado and Wyoming are two of the most supportive states in the country when it comes to signing up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor. Yet there are still nearly 2,000 people in our area waiting for a lifesaving transplant. That’s why we are asking all Coloradoans and Wyomingites to show their heart for National Donate Life Month in support of organ, eye and tissue donation by uploading a selfie!

Help Raise Awareness for Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation

With just a selfie, you can help raise awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation and save lives. Who knew selfies could be that powerful, right? Showing your heart in support of organ, eye and tissue donation brings hope to those waiting a lifesaving transplant. If 2,000 of us show our hearts and inspire just one other person to sign up as a donor, thousands of our neighbors could be saved and healed by the gift of life.

So make a difference this National Donate Life Month. Join us and #ShowYourHeart with a selfie in support of organ, eye and tissue donation. Just upload your photo and share it on social to inspire your friends and family—it’s that easy! Help us reach our goal of getting 2,000 photo submissions. The more photos we get the more lives could be healed and saved through donation and transplantation.

As supporters of organ, eye and tissue donation, we can INSPIRE OTHERS TO SAVE LIVES! Please share your customized photo on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with your friends and followers. Help us give hope to those waiting and spread awareness about the lifesaving gift of organ, eye and tissue donation this April! Here’s how you can help:

#ShowYourHeart with a Selfie: go to DonorAlliance.org/ShowYourHeart

1. UPLOAD your photo and share why you signed up as an organ, eye and tissue donor.

2. CUSTOMIZE your photo with a

What if you are not on social media? No problem! You can still upload and customize your photo to #ShowYourHeart for donation directly from your phone or desktop. Adding your selfie to our #ShowYourHeart gallery will inspire others and show your support… so upload your photo and help us reach our goal of getting 2,000 photo submissions!

Advocates for Life Share Stories of Hope to Inspire Others to Show Their Heart

This National Donate Life Month, be inspired by our Advocate for Life volunteers’ stories of hope. We hope these stories will touch your heart and motivate you to upload your photo and #ShowYourHeart to help raise awareness about the lifesaving gift of organ, eye and tissue donation.

• Al Lucero, kidney recipient, Pueblo, Colo.: After Agent Orange exposure caused kidney damage that ultimately resulted in five years of grueling dialysis, Al received a kidney transplant in January 2020. He has been given his life back and is grateful for the lifesaving gift from his donor and his donor’s family. After seeing others he’d met pass away while waiting for a transplant, Al is sharing his story of gratitude to encourage more people to sign up to be donors.
• Christy Schultz, mother of a donor, Parker, Colo.: Christy’s daughter Sammie was a loving and hilarious Ponderosa High School cheerleader that was always helping others. When Sammie tragically passed away in July 2020, Christy knew donating her organs was what Sammie would have wanted. Christy is sharing her story because of the peace Sammie’s gifts helped bring her family amidst unimaginable grief.
• Eileen Maddox, grandmother of a heart recipient, Durango, Colo: Eileen’s grandson, Liam, received the lifesaving gift of a heart transplant in 2014 at just give months old. Now, at 7, Liam is living the life of a normal kid with a special gift. He’s very active, learning to ride a bike, ski and hike. Eileen is sharing Liam’s story as a heartfelt way to pay it forward and remind Coloradans to choose to live with others in mind.
• Jodi Lanzi, heart recipient, Loveland, Colo.: Jodi received the gift of life with a heart transplant in August 2016. She knows she wouldn’t be here without her donor. She’s grateful to get to spend time with her family and to see her grandkids grow. Jodi is sharing her story so other recipients and those waiting on a lifesaving transplant know that they have the support of a community.
• Juana Chavez, liver recipient, Denver: Juana celebrated her 15^th transplant anniversary in 2020 after receiving the lifesaving gift of a liver transplant in September 2005. She is sharing her story in hopes that it will inspire others to say yes to giving the gift of life.
• Tony Young, heart and kidney recipient, Parker, Colo: Tony’s life was saved when he received a heart and kidney transplant in March 2020. He’s once again found joy in being able to do the simple things that are easily taken for granted. He’s sharing his story because of the hope one family gave him by turning the pain of losing a loved one into an opportunity to save lives.

National Blue & Green Day 2021

Let’s see your Donate Life colors! On National Blue and Green Day, April 16, show your support for organ, eye and tissue donation by wearing blue and green and uploading your photo here We can’t wait to see all the awesome photos of businesses, schools, hospitals, transplant centers, individuals and even pets – all dressed in their best blue and green!

More details on how to get involved, including #ShowYourHeart giveaway terms and conditions, can be found here on our official Donate Life Month pages.

Hablando de los riñones: desde la enfermedad renal hasta los trasplantes

En su mayor parte, todo el mundo nace con dos riñones que funcionan de forma saludable. La mayoría de las personas no piensa en sus riñones a diario, pero para aquellos sufren de enfermedad renal o para los receptores de un trasplante de riñón, esos dos pequeños órganos en forma de frijol son muy importantes. La Fundación Nacional del Riñón o NKF por sus siglas en ingles se une a nosotros durante el Mes Nacional del Riñón para compartir información básica sobre el riñón, desde enfermedades hasta la donación y el trasplante de riñón.

Sobre la enfermedad renal

Los riñones funcionan como purificadores químicos del cuerpo, filtrando los desechos de 150 litros de sangre al día y realizando funciones vitales que ayudan a dirigir la producción de glóbulos rojos y regular la presión arterial.

Con el tiempo, los riñones pueden dañarse. En los Estados Unidos, el 33% de los adultos tienen riesgo de enfermedad renal. Eso es una de cada tres personas. Pensemos en ese número una vez más... ¡Es enorme!

La NKF alienta al público a tener siempre en mente las estadísticas de la enfermedad renal y tomar pasos para cambiar las cifras y hacer lo posible para evitar desarrollar esta enfermedad. Al invitar a amigos y familiares a tomar el questionario de riesgo renal (que solo toma un minuto) de la NKF, pueden ver si están en riesgo de desarrollar una enfermedad renal.

Todos debemos de conocer nuestro riesgo de enfermedad renal, pero especialmente las personas que tienen alguno de los cinco factores de riesgo:

• Alta presión sanguínea
• Enfermedad del corazón
• Diabetes
• Obesidad
• Antecedentes familiares de enfermedad renal

También es importante saber que la mayoría de las personas en las primeras etapas de la enfermedad renal no presentan ningún síntoma. Puede que no sepan que algo anda mal; sin embargo, seas joven o de edad avanzada, la enfermedad renal puede afectar a cualquier persona en cualquier momento. El diagnóstico temprano es la clave.

Cómo mantener tus riñones sanos

Saber que estás en riesgo de desarrollar enfermedad renal es el primer paso para llevar una vida más saludable, así que averigua cuál si estas en riesgo haciéndote la Prueba de riesgo renal o hablando con tu médico. También hay algunos pasos simples que puedes tomar para ayudar a proteger tus riñones, incluyendo reduciendo la cantidad de alimentos procesados ​​en tu dieta. Aquí hay nueve cosas fáciles que todo el mundo debería—y puede— hacer por la salud de sus riñones:

• Hacer ejercicio regularmente
• Controlar el peso
• Seguir una dieta equilibrada
• Dejar de fumar
• Beber con moderación
• Mantenerse hidratado
• Controlar los niveles de colesterol
• Hacerse un examen físico anual
• Conocer su historial médico familiar

¿Qué pasa si la enfermedad renal lleva a necesitar un trasplante?

En Colorado y Wyoming, hay casi 2,000 personas, entre ellas casi 500 hispanos, en lista de espera para recibir un trasplante que salve su vida, y casi el 85% de ellos están esperando un riñón. Los riñones son el órgano más trasplantado y el tiempo promedio que un paciente pasa en la lista de espera es de 3 a 5 años. Mientras esperan, muchas personas con enfermedad renal aguda deberán someterse a diálisis. La diálisis es un proceso que mantiene su cuerpo en equilibrio al eliminar los desechos, mantener un nivel seguro de ciertos químicos en la sangre y ayudar a controlar la presión arterial.

El siguiente paso, dependiendo de la gravedad de la enfermedad renal y después de consultar a su médico o especialista en riñones, es el trasplante. Hay dos tipos de donación de riñón disponibles para las personas añadidad a la lista de espera de trasplante de órganos: donación de un fallecido y la donación en vida.

Tipos de donación de riñón y cómo puedes ayudar

Los riñones son uno de los varios órganos que se pueden donar en vida, lo que permite que los buenos samaritanos tengan un gran impacto a través de la donación de riñón mientras aún están vivos.

“La NKF tiene programas que pueden ayudar a quienes necesitan un trasplante de riñón a aprender más sobre cómo encontrar un donante de riñón en vida. ¡Todo el proceso es muy poderoso y hemos visto cómo las vidas de las personas se transforman positivamente debido a su trasplante de riñón! " dijo Danielle Percival, coordinadora del programa NKF.

Obten más información sobre la donación en vida en tu centro de trasplantes local.

Si bien la donación en vida es una forma de ayudar, no todas las personas pueden ser donantes en vida. Sin embargo, todos pueden ayudar diciendo Sí a la donación de órganos, ojos y tejidos después de la muerte. Una cosa que usted y su familia pueden hacer para ayudar de inmediato es asegurarse de estar registrados como donante de órganos, ojos y tejidos. Así que echa un vistazo a tu licencia de conducir o identificación y, si tiene el corazón, ya estas registrado. Si no es así, puedes registrarte en cualquier momento visitando Done Vida Colorado o Done Vida Wyoming.

Cualquier persona puede registrarse para ser un donante de órganos, ojos y tejidos, e incluso los personas con condiciones médicas y los candidatos y receptores de trasplantes pueden registrarse y potencialmente convertirse en donantes.

Y, en lo que respecta a sus riñones, tómese el tiempo de determine su riesgo de enfermedad renal, tome medidas para mantenerse saludable y si es necesario, analice las opciones de donación y trasplante con su equipo de atención médica y su familia.

One Year Later: Answering the Top Five Questions on COVID-19 & Organ Donation

March 2021 marks one year of saving lives through organ and tissue donation and transplantation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the onset of the pandemic, we’ve received many questions relating to the impact COVID-19 has on donation and transplantation. We compiled a list of the top five most frequently asked questions and answered them, below.

Top Five Questions on COVID-19 & Organ Donation:

1. Can I sign up for organ donation even if I had COVID-19? Yes! Even if you tested positive for COVID-19 at some point, you can still sign up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor after death. Recovered COVID-19 patients may be eligible for organ donation at the time of their death. It’s important to remember that anyone of any age or with any kind of medical condition or history can still sign up to be a donor. Don’t rule yourself out! Sign up in Colorado or Wyoming
2. Can someone be an organ and tissue donor if they died from COVID-19? Right now, no. If someone passes away from active COVID-19, it is currently a medical rule out for both organ and tissue donation. It’s important to note that as with many other illnesses, medical science is likely to change that over time. (Note, this is different from Question 1, which speaks to who can sign up to be a donor. This questions speaks to donation eligibility upon passing away from active COVID-19 specifically).
3. What precautions is Donor Alliance taking to ensure safety and prevent exposure? To protect the health and safety of our teams and transplant recipients throughout this pandemic, Donor Alliance is testing every donor, maximizing virtual work and limiting the number of staff accessing hospitals. All eligible donors are tested for COVID-19 through molecular testing, known as PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests that detect the virus’s genetic material. This type of testing method is cited as highly accurate by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
4. Did COVID-19 cause a stop in transplants? Organ and tissue donation and transplantation continues. With nearly 2,000 people in our area waiting for a lifesaving transplant, the need for transplantable organs is an ongoing public health crisis in our region and nationwide. Donor Alliance remains committed to maximizing all donation opportunities while keeping our staff, recipients and community safe. The Federal Government has classified organ transplants as essential, non-elective surgeries that must continue. For information on living donation specifically, please contact one of the four transplant centers in our area for more information as they facilitate that process.
5. Should transplant recipients receive the COVID-19 vaccine? We encourage transplant recipients to connect with their transplant center care team for guidance with their individual situation. The American Transplant Foundation also released a webinar on COVID-19 vaccines and the transplant community. You can also check out the latest COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ Sheet from the American Society of Transplantation.

As new information about COVID-19 is released, we continue to regularly update our resources and information as it relates to donation and transplantation. New information is often accompanied by questions or concerns. If you ever have any questions, please contact us. You can also follow us on our Donate Life Colorado or Donate Life Wyoming Facebook pages for current news and inspiring stories about donation and transplantation.

Back to Kidney Basics: From Disease to Donation and Transplant

For the most part, everyone is born with two healthy functioning kidneys. Most people don’t think about their kidneys on a daily basis, but for those with kidney disease or kidney transplant recipients, those two small bean-shaped organs are very important. The National Kidney Foundation or NKF is joining us during National Kidney Month to talk about kidney basics - from disease to donation and transplantation.

What You Should Know About Kidney Disease?

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.

In the United States, 33% of adults are at risk for kidney disease. That’s one in every three people. Let that number sink in for a minute. It’s huge! But while the magnitude of that number is very real, when you stop and consider it, its implications are lost on most people.

NKF encourages Americans to always keep the statistics of kidney disease in mind and work to change the numbers. By inviting friends and family to take NKF’s one-minute Kidney Risk Quiz , you can see if you are at risk for developing kidney disease.

Everyone needs to know about their risk for kidney disease, but especially if you have any one of the five risk factors –

• high blood pressure
• heart disease
• diabetes
• obesity
• family history of kidney disease

It’s also important to know that most people in the early stages of kidney disease don’t have any symptoms. They may not know that anything is wrong; however, young or old, kidney disease can affect anyone. Early diagnosis is key.

How to Keep Your Kidneys Healthy

Knowing you’re at risk is the first step towards living a healthier life, so find out where you stand with the Kidney Risk Quiz or by talking with your doctor. 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. Here are nine easy things everyone should do for their kidney health:

• Exercise regularly
• Control weight
• Follow a balanced diet
• Quit smoking
• Drink only in moderation
• Stay hydrated
• Monitor cholesterol levels
• Get an annual physical
• Know your family medical history

What if Disease Leads to Needing a Transplant?

In Colorado and Wyoming, there are nearly 2,000 people on the waiting list for lifesaving organ transplants – and nearly 85% of those are waiting for a kidney. Kidneys are the most transplanted organ and the average time a patient spends on the waiting list is 3-5 years. While waiting, many with acute kidney disease will need to undergo dialysis. Dialysis is a process that keeps your body in balance by removing waste, keeping a safe level of certain chemicals in your blood, and helping to control blood pressure.

The next step, depending on the severity of your kidney disease and after consulting your doctor or kidney specialist, is transplant. There are two types of kidney donation available to those placed on the organ transplant waiting list – deceased donation and living donation.

Types of Kidney Donation & How You Can Help

The kidneys are one of several organs that a living donor can give – allowing good Samaritans to make a huge impact through living organ donation while they are still alive.

“NKF has programs that can help those in need of a kidney transplant learn more about how to find a living kidney donor. The entire process is very powerful, and we have seen people’s lives positively transform due to their kidney transplant!” said Danielle Percival, NKF Program Coordinator.

Learn more about living donation by connecting with your local transplant center.

While living donation is one way to help, not everyone can be a living donor. However, everyone can help by saying Yes to organ, eye and tissue donation after death. One thing you and your family can all do to help right away is be sure you are signed up as an organ, eye and tissue donor. Just take a look at your driver license or ID and, if you have the heart you're good go go. If not, sign up by visiting Donate Life Colorado or Donate Life Wyoming.

Remember, don't rule yourself out. Anyone can sign up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor, and even transplant candidates and recipients can potentially become donors.

And, when it comes to your kidneys, determine your disease risk, take steps to stay healthy and discuss donation and transplant options with your healthcare team and family.

The Second Act: An Organ, Eye & Tissue Donation Story – 10 Minute Stories that Will Inspire You to Live Life to the Fullest

Donor Alliance’s new YouTube video series, The Second Act: An Organ, Eye & Tissue Donation Story, will transform the way you look at the gift of life and inspire you to live life renewed! Hear from donor family members, transplant recipients, transplant recipient family members and more from throughout Colorado and Wyoming who’ve used their experiences to help propel them to new heights.

What is 'The Second Act: An Organ, Eye & Tissue Donation Story'?

The Second Act is a monthly YouTube video series highlighting interesting people throughout Colorado and Wyoming with interesting stories, hobbies and interests. While each story is unique, they all have one thing in common and that’s their connection, in some way, to organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation. These interviews will help you get to know the person beyond their connection to donation and transplantation and show how the gift of life played a role in their story.

From former professional athletes, to paranormal experts, to the family next door and more, their stories of resilience and adventure will leave you wanting more.

Watch the First Video -- The Second Act: Connor Randall:

The first video introduces you to two-time heart transplant recipient, Connor Randall, from Arvada, CO. Connor's passion is in the paranormal space, you may even recognize him from an Amazon video series, Hellier​, a show that he helped produce and star in. Connor is also a drummer in a Denver-based punk band called The Ghoulies​. Let's not forget his day job though, Connor is a clerk at the Colorado State House of Representatives for six months out of the year. And... if it weren't for the amazing #GiftofLife​ Connor received not once, but twice, he may not be here to share these passions with us.

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How You Can Get Involved:

• Subscribe to the Donor Alliance YouTube channel to follow along! A new video will be posted to the channel every month.
• Share the videos on your social pages and encourage your friends to watch.
• Leave comments and let us know what you thought of the video!
• Sign up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at DonateLifeColorado.org or DonateLifeWyoming.org.

The Heart Truth about Heart Donation and Transplant

When we think of February, we often picture a heart. This heart symbolizes many things; from love, to Valentine’s Day, to American Heart Month. But for others, a heart holds a much deeper meaning. For those few individuals who have received a heart transplant, it symbolizes the difference between life and death and every thumping beat is a second chance at living a full life.

More about the Heart Organ

The heart is a unique organ; especially when it comes to transplant. The heart is a muscular organ about the size of an adult fist. It pumps blood throughout the body and is located behind the breastbone between the lungs. There are many causes for a patient’s heart to fail, but the most common diseases that can lead to needing a transplant include coronary heart disease and cardiomyopathy.

Once doctors have determined that a heart transplant is needed, the patient will be referred to a transplant center and placed on the wait list. Expected amount of time on the wait list is unknown and varies based on the patient’s fluctuating health status and an available donor organ match.

Matching and Allocating the Heart for Transplant

Heart transplants in the US increased by 3% in 2020; a sign of public support for donation and advancement in transplant procedures and processes. To make those lifesaving heart transplants possible, a heart must be altruistically donated by a deceased donor, undergo medical testing and be matched with a waitlist candidate. Matching a heart from the deceased donor to a waiting transplant recipient includes medical evaluations such as size, blood type, medical urgency and genetic matching.

Once the donor heart is paired with an eligible match, the heart will begin its journey from the deceased donor to the waiting transplant recipient. The heart is only viable outside of the human body for a short period of time and must be transplanted within 4-6 hours of recovery; so the recipient’s distance from the transplant center is taken into consideration as well.

How Many People Need a Heart Transplant?

There are currently more than 3,500 Americans waiting for a lifesaving heart transplant, nearly 100 of which are in Colorado and Wyoming. Eva Krynovich of Colorado Springs was one of them until her lifesaving transplant in 2014. After successfully managing her heart disease for years, Eva’s heart began to fail rapidly in 2013. Her doctor told her nothing more could be done, she became very weak and was in and out of the hospital. Thanks to the generosity of an organ donor, Eva received a second chance at life on March 15, 2014. It has been several years since her transplant and she has been able to become a grandmother thanks to her deceased donor and their family.

“Every day is a gift. I am now able to do almost all of the activities that I did before I got sick. I look forward to many more years enjoying my family and watching my grandchildren grow.”

Eva was fortunate to have been given a second chance at life through organ donation, but many others are still waiting for that chance.

What You Can Do To Help

Take a deep breath, close your eyes and place your hand on your chest. In this quiet moment, can you feel your heart beating? Can you imagine life without the strength of your thumping heart? If you needed a heart transplant to survive, would you have one? If so, please help others by saying Yes to signing up as an organ, eye and tissue donor. It’s quick and easy, about as long as the quiet moment you just did and could possibly change someone’s life forever. Say Yes when getting your driver license or ID or You sign up anytime online in Colorado or Wyoming. Deciding to register as a deceased donor could help save the lives of people in your own community waiting for heart transplants.

If you are facing placement on the transplant waitlist or currently are a waitlist candidate, please connect with your transplant center and team for further information about heart donation and transplant. Here are the transplant centers and other resources available in our area.

Staff Spotlight: Alicia Jackson

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 share who we are and why we work at Donor Alliance. In this month's staff spotlight, meet Alicia Jackson, a Quality Assurance Coordinator. In this role, Alicia verifies the suitability of heroic donors based on their medical history and more.

This Month's Staff Spotlight is on Alicia Jackson:

Name: Alicia Jackson

Position: Quality Assurance Coordinator

Years at Donor Alliance: 13.5 years

Tell us a little about your role with Donor Alliance: As a Quality Assurance Coordinator, I review the medical history of individuals who have either previously registered themselves to be a donor or their family consented for them to share the gift of donation at the time of their passing. Although I primarily work with tissue donation, I also review shared (Organ and Tissue) cases as well. Nevertheless, no matter which type of case I’m reviewing, I’m verifying the suitability of that donor based on his/her medical history along with other pertinent information. I work with several tissue processors who all have their own set of criteria and I do my very best to make sure I’m fulfilling their requirements during my review.

What do you enjoy most about your role/what’s the most rewarding aspect of your role? For me, it’s knowing that I’m a part of something bigger. There’s nothing like meeting one of the donor families or a recipient of the organs and tissues cases that I’ve reviewed the medical history on. Listening to how they are now able to live their life the way they’ve intended blesses me beyond all of my expectations. I can see that all of my hard work paid off just by listening to their story.

When you’re not working, what do you like to do for fun? I love spending time with my family and reminiscing about childhood memories. I also love taking road trips to the beautiful Rocky Mountains, attending exhibits at various museums, watching plays, learning from documentaries on PBS and sewing.

What piece of advice would you give your younger self? If possible, I would tell my younger self, “thank you for never giving up on yourself. Although there will be obstacles you’ll face in life, know that every struggle has an expiration date. YOU’VE GOT THIS!”

Thanks for reading our staff spotlight!

La Lista de Espera No Puede Esperar: Número Récord de Donantes de Órganos y Vidas Salvadas en el 2020 – Colorado y Wyoming

A pesar de la pandemia de COVID-19, Donor Alliance registró el 2020 como el año más exitoso con respecto a las vidas salvadas a través de la donación y el trasplante de órganos que jamás haya visto. En el 2020, un número récord de donantes de órganos heroicos salvaron 622 vidas a través de la donación y el trasplante de órganos y miles de vidas más fueron salvadas y sanadas por medio de la donación de tejidos en Colorado y Wyoming.

La lista de espera no puede esperar, incluso en medio de una pandemia. A pesar de lo desafiante que ha sido el 2020, hay muchas cosas de las que enorgullecerse en lo que respecta a la donación y los trasplantes.– Jennifer Prinz, presidenta y directora ejecutiva de Donor Alliance.

2020: Año récord de donantes de órganos y vidas salvadas en Colorado y Wyoming

A través de los generosos regalos de los donantes de órganos y sus familias, Donor Alliance facilitó un número récord de donaciones de órganos en todo Colorado y Wyoming en el 2020.

Este año hubo un aumento del 13% en donantes de órganos heroicos y un aumento del 4% en órganos trasplantados, o vidas salvadas, en comparación con el récord establecido en el 2019.

• Donantes de Órganos – un record de 215 donantes de órganos heroicos
• Órganos Trasplantados – las donaciones salvaron 622 vidas

Además de facilitar localmente la donación de donantes fallecidos, Donor Alliance ayudó a facilitar 140 trasplantes de donantes fuera de nuestra región, así como también asistir en 39 de los 118 trasplantes de donantes vivos de la región.

Donor Alliance también coordinó la transmisión de 710 cartas entre las familias de donantes y los receptores de trasplantes y proporcionó 30,470 tarjetas de recuerdo a 241 familias de donantes para ayudar a honrar y reconocer la vida de sus seres queridos.

El 2020: Otro año fuerte para la donación y los trasplantes de tejidos en Colorado y Wyoming

A pesar de los retrasos en una variedad de procedimientos quirúrgicos en respuesta a la pandemia de COVID-19, el 2020 fue un año fuerte para la donación y el trasplante de tejidos. Hubo 1, 899 donantes de tejidos heroicos, incluyendo 1,664 donantes de piel y 127 donantes de válvulas cardíacas.

Mediante procedimientos como injertos de piel y cirugías reconstructivas, estas donaciones que sanan y salvan vidas ayudarán a miles de personas a recuperar la movilidad y llevar una vida activa después de experimentar una enfermedad o trauma.

• Donantes de tejidos: la asombrosa cantidad de 1,899 donantes de tejidos heroicos
• Tejidos trasplantados: miles de personas salvadas y sanadas

La lista de espera no puede esperar: salvando vidas a través de la pandemia de COVID-19, número récord de donantes de órganos y vidas salvadas

A lo largo de la crisis de COVID-19, nuestra misión se ha mantenido al frente de cada decisión que hemos tomado, permitiendo que nuestro trabajo maximice cada regalo de vida y salve tantas vidas como sea posible a través de la donación y los trasplantes. - Jennifer Prinz

Desde el inicio de la pandemia, Donor Alliance ha trabajado activamente para planificar y mitigar el impacto del COVID-19 en la misión de la organización de salvar vidas.

• Planificación de sobretensión

En colaboración con hospitales locales y socios médicos, Donor Alliance desarrolló un Surge Plan para garantizar que el regalo de la vida pudiera continuar de manera segura a pesar de la tensión inducida por la pandemia en los recursos médicos, el personal y las instalaciones. El plan incluía asegurar herramientas y equipos, desarrollar protocolos alternativos basados ​​en la capacidad del hospital, realizar pruebas médicas aceleradas y aumentar la utilización del centro de recuperación independiente de Donor Alliance, lo cual minimizó el impacto en los hospitales y aseguró que el regalo de la vida continuara. También se establecieron pruebas aceleradas de COVID-19 para todos los posibles donantes de órganos, reduciendo así las demoras y permitiendo al personal de Donor Alliance sustentar de manera segura el proceso de donación y trasplante.

• Maximizar el trabajo remoto

Para mantener la seguridad del personal de Donor Alliance y del hospital, y al mismo tiempo asegurarnos de que nuestro trabajo para salvar vidas continuara, se maximizaron las opciones de trabajo remoto. Por ejemplo, Donor Alliance limitó la cantidad de personal que accede a los hospitales locales teniendo conversaciones virtuales con las familias de los donantes.

• Educar al público virtualmente

Aunque los eventos presenciales fueron limitados en 2020, se implementaron eventos virtuales e iniciativas digitales para continuar educando e inspirando al público a registrarse para ser donantes de órganos, ojos y tejidos.

La generosidad de los residentes de Colorado y Wyoming, combinada con la determinación y resiliencia de nuestro personal y nuestros voluntarios para continuar con nuestra misión, ayudó a salvar y sanar más vidas en nuestra región que nunca antes. – Jennifer Prinz

Colorado y Wyoming entre los principales estados del país en apoyo a la donación

Colorado y Wyoming siguen manteniendo algunas de las tasas más altas de designación de donantes, o porcentaje de personas que se unen a los registros de donantes estatales, en el país.

La tasa de designación de donantes de Colorado es del 68% y la de Wyoming es del 62%; ambos estados superan significativamente el promedio nacional del 49%, según Donate Life America.

• Casi un millón de residentes se registraron como donantes en 2020
• Más de 870,000 residentes de Colorado y casi 82,000 habitantes de Wyoming agregaron sus nombres a los registros de donantes de órganos, ojos y tejidos.
• La tasa de designación de donantes es del 68% en Colorado
• La tasa de designación de donantes es del 62% en Wyoming.

Cómo puedes ayudar

A pesar de los increíbles logros alcanzados—incluso en medio de una pandemia— en el 2020 para la donación y los trasplantes en nuestra región, cerca de 2,000 personas en el área continúan esperando un trasplante que salve su vida. Con estos pacientes en mente, Donor Alliance continúa educando incansablemente al público sobre la necesidad de más donantes y colabora estrechamente con 115 hospitales de cuidados intensivos, cuatro centros de trasplantes, la división de vehículos motorizados y otros socios en su área de servicio que abarca dos estados.

Para obtener más información sobre la donación o para registrarse como donante de órganos, ojos y tejidos, visita DoneVidaColorado.org.

Registrarse como donante: Una Resolución de Año Nuevo Alcanzable que Salva Vidas

El comienzo de un nuevo año viene con un sentido de esperanza renovada, nuevas oportunidades e incluso nuevas formas de retribuir y apoyar a tu comunidad. Sin duda, 2020 fue un año como ningún otro con una “nueva normalidad” para casi todas las cosas que hacemos en nuestra vida cotidiana, incluyendo la forma en que le dimos la bienvenida al 2021 e hicimos las resoluciones para el Año Nuevo.

Este año, es posible que estés pensando en tus propósitos de Año Nuevo de una manera diferente; es posible que desees priorizar tu salud, adoptar una rutina de ejercicio, dedicar más tiempo a tu familia o que pongas tu mirada en ayudar a otros que son menos afortunados. Independientemente de lo que tengas en mente para tus resoluciones de año nuevo, no olvides incluir en tu lista algunos objetivos que te hagan sentir realizado y que sean alcanzables.

Registrarse como Donante: Una resolución de Año Nuevo que te Hará Sentir Bien

¿Quieres una resolución alcanzable y que te haga sentir bien? ¡Tenemos la idea perfecta para ti! Agrega el registrarte como donante de órganos, ojos y tejidos a tu lista de resoluciones para el 2021. Dar el regalo de vivir a través de la donación y los trasplantes de órganos no solo te hará sentir realizado, sino que también dará esperanza a las casi 2,000 personas en nuestra región—incluyendo casi 500 hispanos—que esperan un trasplante de órganos pata Salvat su vida. Y la mejor parte: solo te llevará unos minutos completar esta resolución y tacharla en tu lista.

¿Qué Significa Registrarse para ser Donante de Órganos, Ojos y Tejidos?

Registrarse como donante de órganos, ojos y tejidos significa que has tomado la decisión de donar tus órganos, ojos y tejidos en el momento de tu muerte. Tu decisión de ser donante tiene prioridad sobre las preferencias de tu familia, así que asegúrate de compartir tu decisión con tus seres queridos.

Cualquier persona, de cualquier edad, con cualquier tipo de historial médico puede optar por registrarse como donante de órganos, ojos y tejidos. Tu salud, edad y estilo de vida no deben ser factores en tu decisión de ayudar a otros a través de la donación de órganos y tejidos después de fallecer. Incluso las personas con condiciones médicas crónicas y enfermedades infecciosas pueden registrarse como donantes. Los órganos y tejidos que realmente se pueden utilizar se determinarán en el momento de su muerte. No se descarte; ¡puedes salvar vidas!

Cómo Puedes Registrarte como Donante Durante Estos Tiempos

Registrarse como donante es rápido, seguro y sencillo. Puedes inscribirte en línea en cualquier momento sin salir de tu casa en DonateLifeColorado.org, la página del registro de donantes del estado. Además, aún puede registrarte cuando vayas a la oficina local de licencias de conducir al renovar o tramitar tu licencia de conducir o identificación estatal. Recuerda, las cosas pueden verse diferentes en tu oficina local, así que averigüe qué precauciones y medidas están vigentes antes de tu visita.

Mientras te preparas para o elegir o completar tus propósitos e intenciones para este 2021, te invitamos a que obtenga más información sobre la donación de órganos, ojos y tejidos y que consideres registraste como donante de órganos, ojos y tejidos. Tu heroica decisión puede salvar y sanar vidas.

The Waitlist Can’t Wait: Record Number of Heroic Organ Donors and Lives Saved in 2020 – Colorado & Wyoming

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Donor Alliance recorded 2020 as the most successful year for lives saved through organ donation and transplantation that the region has ever seen. In 2020, a record number of heroic organ donors saved 622 lives through organ donation and transplantation and thousands more lives were saved and healed through tissue donation in Colorado and Wyoming.

The waitlist can’t wait, even amidst a pandemic. As challenging as 2020 has been, there are many things to be proud of when it comes to donation and transplantation.– Jennifer Prinz, Donor Alliance President and CEO.

2020 Record Organ Donors & Lives Saved in Colorado & Wyoming

Through the generous gifts from organ donors and their families, Donor Alliance facilitated a record number of organ donations throughout Colorado and Wyoming in 2020.

This year there was a 13% increase in heroic organ donors and a 4% increase in organs transplanted, or lives saved, when compared to the record high from 2019.

• Organ Donors - a record 215 heroic organ donors
• Organs Transplanted - donations saved 622 lives

Annual Snapshot:

In addition to facilitating local deceased donation, Donor Alliance helped facilitate 140 transplants from donors outside of our region, as well as assisting in 39 of the region’s 118 transplants from living donors.

Donor Alliance also coordinated the passing of 710 letters between donor families and transplant recipients and provided 30,470 memory cards to 241 donor families to help honor and recognize the lives of their loved ones.

2020 Another Strong Year Tissue Donation & Transplantation in Colorado & Wyoming

Despite delays in a variety of surgical procedures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 was still a strong year for tissue donation and transplantation. There were 1,899 heroic tissue donors including 1,664 skin donors and 127 heart valve donors.

Through procedures like skin grafting and reconstructive surgeries, these lifesaving and healing donations will help thousands of people regain mobility and lead active lives after disease or trauma.

• Tissue Donors - an amazing 1,899 heroic tissue donors
• Tissues Transplanted - tens of thousands

Annual Snapshot:

Waitlist Can’t Wait: Saving Lives through the COVID-19 Pandemic, Record Number Organ Donors & Lives Saved

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, our mission has remained at the forefront of every decision we’ve made, allowing our work to maximize every gift of life and save as many lives as possible through donation and transplantation to continue. – Jennifer Prinz

Since the onset of the pandemic, Donor Alliance has actively worked to plan for and mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on the organization’s mission to save lives.

• Surge Planning
  • In collaboration with local hospitals and medical partners, Donor Alliance developed a Surge Plan to ensure the gift of life was able to safely continue despite the pandemic-induced strain on medical resources, staff and facilities. The plan included securing tools and equipment, developing alternative protocols based on hospital capacity, expedited medical testing and increasing utilization of Donor Alliance’s stand-alone recovery center – all of which minimized the impact on hospitals and ensured the gift of life continued. Accelerated COVID-19 testing was also established for all potential organ donors, reducing delays and allowing Donor Alliance staff to safely sustain the donation and transplantation process.
• Maximize Remote Work
  • To keep Donor Alliance and hospital staff safe while also making sure our lifesaving work continued, remote work options were maximized. For example, Donor Alliance limited the number of staff accessing local hospitals by having virtual conversations with donor families.
• Educating the Public Virtually
  • Even though in-person events were limited in 2020, virtual events and digital initiatives were implemented to continue to educate and inspire the public to sign up to be organ, eye and tissue donors.

The generosity of Colorado and Wyoming residents combined with the determination and resiliency of our staff and volunteers to continue our mission helped to save and heal more lives in our region than ever before.– Jennifer Prinz

Colorado & Wyoming amongst the Top in the Nation in Support for Donation

Colorado and Wyoming continue to maintain some of the highest donor designation rates, or percentage of individuals joining the state donor registries, in the country.

Colorado’s DDR is 68% and Wyoming’s is 62% - both states far surpass the national average of 49%, according to Donate Life America.

• Nearly one million residents signed up to become donors in 2020
• More than 870,000 Coloradans and nearly 82,000 Wyomingites added their names to the organ, eye and tissue donor registries.
• The donor designation rate is at 68% in Colorado
• The donor designation rate is at 62% in Wyoming

How You Can Help

Despite the year’s incredible achievements even amidst a pandemic for donation and transplantation across the region, nearly 2,000 people in the area continue to wait for a lifesaving transplant. With these patients in mind, Donor Alliance continues to tirelessly educate the public on the need for donation and collaborate closely with 115 acute care hospitals, four transplant centers, division of motor vehicles and other partners throughout the two-state area.

For more information about donation, or to sign up as an organ, eye and tissue donor, please visit DonateLifeColorado.org or DonateLifeWyoming.org.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHB7-olMLiQ

Last Christmas: A Review Through a Donate Life Lens

“Very emotional for me, but I feel like it’s a movie worth seeing as a donor family member,” said Laurie.

Laurie is a donor’s wife and an Advocate for Life from Casper, Wyoming who helped us review the 2019 romantic holiday comedy, Last Christmas, through a Donate Life lens.

While Laurie’s connection to donation and transplantation was formed through the tragic loss of her husband, Sam, it has since grown into feelings of hope and gratitude as his legacy lives on through donation and transplantation.

Those same feelings were represented as themes throughout the movie.

*Warning: if you haven’t seen the movie, this review may contain spoilers, so please feel free to go watch the movie and then come back to hear our take on its message.*

About the Movie, Last Christmas:

The holiday movie quickly introduces us to a negative, ‘bad’ girl named Kate who regularly engages in some questionable behaviors. She is disconnected from her family and since a recent heart transplant, she doesn’t quite feel like herself.

Through many meaningful moments with Tom, a young man she met at her work, Kate becomes more positive and embraces the good within herself. Her eyes are opened to her blessings and her second chance at life made possible through the amazing gift of life she received from her heroic heart donor.

Local Reaction:

“Of course, I thought about my situation and my husband’s donations. I wrote letters to my husband’s recipients, telling them about Sam, so they could get to know who he was. Knowing your donor, I thought, could help them honor the gift they received.”

Laurie added, “I think Last Christmas tries through Hollywood’s sensational ways to explain that connection between a donor and a recipient. I think the ending was sweet and, yes, very emotional for me, but I feel like it’s a movie worth seeing as a donor family member.”

While watching movies with a ‘Donate Life’ theme, it’s important to know the facts about organ, eye and tissue donation as they can guide you through sensationalized storylines. Getting the story right means a lot to those closely connected to the experience; like donor families, transplant recipients, living donors and wait list candidates.

Get Involved, Donate Life Holiday Initiatives:

Whether you’ve already watched Last Christmas or plan to, we want to know what YOU think. Leave a comment or send a message on the Donate Life Colorado Facebook page or Donate Life Wyoming Facebook page. Beyond the movie, there are even more ways you can get into the Donate Life giving spirit during the 2020 holiday season.

• Share your #GiftofLife story: Have you been touched by organ, eye and tissue donation? Share your #GiftofLife story with us for the 2020 9News Parade of Lights event in downtown Denver. Your stories will be on display inside Donate Life Colorado’s #GiftofLife gift box station through New Year’s Eve. *Deadline to submit is 12/26*
• #GiveThanks for the gift of life: Join Donate Life Wyoming in embracing gratitude as a way of giving back. Share your gratitude story and your #GiveThanks photo in honor of the special people in your community who are connected to donation and transplantation. Your submission enters you in a drawing to win some Donate Life swag!
• Tune in to the Rose Parade: On New Year’s Day as part of the reimagined 2021 Tournament of Roses event, the Donate Life community will prepare a tribute with a floral sculpture that honors donors and healthcare professionals. Laurie’s husband, Sam will be honored on the sculpture, as will Jake Thompson, a heroic donor from Colorado. The amazing floragraphs were finished by each donor’s family and will be on display for all to see in a TV special airing on January 1, 2021.

The giving spirit can travel well beyond the holiday movies and initiatives. You can show your support for the gift of life year-round by signing up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at DonateLifeColorado.org or DonateLifeWyoming.org.