News and Media Relations
April is National Donate Life Month – Fox 31 – Denver, CO
April is National Donate Life Month. It’s a time to raise awareness about the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation. That’s something Justin Wilson’s family knows about. The IndyCar driver and Colorado resident died in a freak accident in 2015 during a race at Pocono Raceway. A piece of debris from a crash ahead flew back and hit his head. He later died. It was a devastating time for his younger brother, Stefan, who is also an IndyCar driver. But he is proud knowing that his brother was an organ donor who saved five lives. “Just the fact that those five families have got someone here with them today because of a decision that Justin made is pretty impactful,” Stefan said.
Phillips County rises above the rest – Holyoke Enterprises – Holyoke, CO
April is National Donate Life Month, a time to encourage Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors. Locally, it seems that past encouragement must have worked, because the Holyoke Driver License Office, located in the Phillips County Clerk and Recorder Office, has been recognized for the highest donor designation rate for offices of its size (those processing fewer than 1,500 documents last year).
Donate Life Month – KREX 5 – Grand Junction, CO
If you're in Colorado, you may come across a symbol of love. "There's people throughout the state going around and putting little hearts," said Diane Eckert, who's brother was an organ donor. For Eckert, these hearts represent much more than that. "We are hopefully inspiring others to get their little red hearts on their drivers licenses," said Eckert. Eckert saw first hand just how big of an impact organ donation can bring, when she lost her brother Cody in a car accident in May of 2013.
WMC Nurse Saved by Transplant – Oil City News – Casper, WY
Morgan Swingholm doesn’t remember the hours leading up to her kidney transplant. She does, however, vividly remember the moments just before the operation. “I remember crying as they pulled me into surgery, it kind of hit me,” said Swingholm. “It was very overwhelming.”
Swingholm, 25, was diagnosed with the painful autoimmune disease Lupus just after high school. While on medication to control the disease she continued her life as normal, pursuing a nursing degree at Casper College and working as an CNA at the Wyoming Medical Center.
Donate Life hides hearts around local park for organ donation awareness – KKCO 11 – Grand Junction, CO
You may see some hearts around Lincoln Park and Suplizio Field Friday. They’re part of Donate Life's campaign to raise awareness about organ donation. Donate Life, along with some volunteers, hid about 50 hearts around the park. One volunteer was Diane Eckert. Her brother died in a car crash about five years ago. He was able to save five people with his organ and tissue donations.
National Donate Life Month 2018 – KREX 5 – Grand Junction, CO
Donor Alliance's John Romero stopped by the KREX 5 studio to talk about organ, eye, and tissue donation, and to share his personal story as a kidney recipient.
Show Your Heart – Donate Life Colorado – Front Range Focus – Denver, CO
Lori Lynn Barker talks with Andrea Smith and Randy Schrantz with Donor Alliance. Hear the story of Juniper, 4 year old heart recipient.
Hidden hearts have special message for National Donate Life Month – Fox 31 – Denver, CO
If you happen to find a hidden heart in the next month, it's a reminder that April is National Donate Life Month. Currently, more than 116,000 people are on a waiting list for a lifesaving organ transplant. The Donor Alliance hopes the hearts -- hidden all around the metro area -- help persuade more people to talk about organ donation and eventually sign up to be donors. One of those hiding hearts outside a library in Aurora was four-year-old Juniper Gelrod and her grandfather, Randy Schrantz.
April is National Donate Life Month and you can help save a life – ABC 7 – Denver, CO
April is National Donate Life Month. A time to bring awareness to those waiting for a transplant and to honor those who have given the Gift of Life. Donor Alliance's Andrea Smith and Advocate Stephanie Carlson Kelly joined ABC 7's Eric Lupher to share how you can #ShowYourHeart for National Donate Life Month.
April is National Donate Life Month and you can help save a life – KMGH 7 – Denver, CO
April is National Donate Life Month. Andrea Smith with Donor Alliance visited the Denver 7 studios to talk about awareness and how the public can help. Donor Alliance volunteer Stephanie Carlson Kelly also visited Denver 7 to tell her personal story as the daughter of a lung transplant recipient.
Organ Donation Task Force – KCWY 13 – Casper, WY
Wyoming lawmakers hope to save lives by creating an organ donation promotion task force.
The Gift of Life: Woman Shares Story of Son Donating His Organs – KREX – Grand Junction, CO
They say there's no greater gift, than the gift of life. "It's the beautiful thing that's come out of this tragedy, really it's the only good thing," said Allison McKissen, whose son donated his organs. On August 11, 2016 Allison McKissen lost her son Tanner in an auto accident. "He went too fast around a corner, over corrected and rolled. He was ejected from the vehicle," McKissen said. It was the hardest thing McKissen has ever had to go through. Despite all the pain, she says there's one thing that's gotten her through her darkest times. "It's wonderful knowing that he lives on through other people and that they're able to come home to their families," said McKissen.