News and Media Relations
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.
Casper Woman Saves Her Stepdad’s Life – KCWY 13, Casper, WY
Shea Bicknese says, "It's one of those things. God absolutely put it on my heart. I'd wake up thinking about it, go to bed thinking about it, think about it during the day. I just couldn't let it go." She thought about her stepdad daily. He was suffering from renal failure. "My dad's name is Dean. He's an avid fisherman and he's a mechanic." He had been on dialysis for nearly five years. That's when Bicknese decided to step up.
Young girl didn’t need to look far for a living donor – Denver Post, Denver, CO
At 3, Peri hasn’t been hitting the gym, but she’s definitely feeling stronger. On March 21, she underwent a liver transplant at Children’s Hospital Colorado that has helped solve medical problems that began at birth with her diagnosis of biliary atresia, a rare and life-threatening disease of the liver and bile ducts. And though her condition wouldn’t have placed her high on the list of patients seeking potential deceased liver donors, Peri took a different route. She found a living donor — and she didn’t have to look far.
Young Laramie boy saved by organ donation – KGWN, Cheyenne, WY
The first three years of Keegan Cook’s life were spent in and out of Children’s Hospital. He was born with a rare liver disease called Biliary Atresia. At just seven weeks old, Keegan had his first surgery. While the surgery bought him a little bit of time before he needed a complete liver transplant, for the next three years of his life, Keegan and his family had to deal with illnesses and complications related to the disease.
2 men celebrate the miracle of organ transplants – The Pueblo West View, Pueblo West, CO
His eyes brightened and tears began to fall the moment Randy Schrantz began to talk about his 3-year-old granddaughter and the suffering she and her family went through early on in her young life. "I can't adequately express the feelings I have for my granddaughter," Schrantz said. "Seeing her in that hospital bed, tied up to those tubes that kept her alive and the suffering she went through. Not only that, but seeing our daughter -- pardon me -- suffer and going through all they did to get her to the point that she is now," he said pausing to wipe tears.
Organ Donation: The gift of life – KKCO 11, Grand Junction, CO
One person can donate up to eight organs, which means saving eight lives. "Your loved one continues to give, and has given life to somebody else through donation," said Allison McKissen, whose son donated his organs. "I got involved with Donate Life when my son was in a fatal car accident in August." She said the choice of organ donation was simple.
Why organ donation is so important – 9 News, Denver, CO
This month is National Donate Life month – and Friday is Blue and Green Day. This is a day to show support for the lifesaving benefits of organ, eye and tissue donation while celebrating those who have given the gift of life. John Romero, Donor Alliance's Community Relations Coordinator and Jeff Leone, a 2-time kidney recipient, joined Corey Rose on 9NEWS Mornings to talk about the importance of organ donation.
Getting a second chance at life – Arvada Press, Arvada, CO
In May 2013, Cody Crosby lost his life in a car accident that happened just off Wadsworth Boulevard and I-70. But thanks to the efforts of Arvada Police and emergency responders, Crosby helped save other lives through organ donation. “I believe, 100 percent, that Cody lives on in these people,” said Diane Eckert, a Lakewood resident and Crosby’s sister. “The fact that he gets to be a hero would make his day.”
For Lead native, organ donation lifelong passion – Rapid City Journal, Rapid City, SD
Growing up in Lead, in a family focused on health care and public service, perfectly prepared South Dakota native Sue Dunn for a career that saves and changes people’s lives. 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.
Donation saves lives – Moms Everyday, Casper, WY
Every year, organ, eye and tissue transplants provide hope to tens of thousands of people suffering from disease, injury, trauma or blindness. In Wyoming there are nearly 200 people waiting list for a lifesaving organ transplant. Mom's Everyday sits down with Donor Alliance's Wyoming Community Relations Coordinator Alison Gillum to talk about National Donate Life Month.
Three lives saved after deadly crash in Arvada – 9News, Denver, CO
The pain of losing her brother is not easy to bear for Diane Eckert. It's perhaps made a bit easier knowing first responders did their best to save him. She also knows her brother helped save the lives of three people through organ donation. Eckert is now a strong advocate of organ donation and took the opportunity Tuesday morning to thank the first responders who tried to save her brother's life. "For them to know that they actually saved so many other lives, I wanted them to know that what they do is amazing."
National Donate Life Month: A Broncos coach’s personal connection – KMGH 7, Denver, CO
Broncos assistant head coach and running back coach Eric Studesville lost his parents in a tragic motorcycle accident. His mother was a live organ donor before she passed away. Now, Studesville takes part in National Donate Life Month in honor of his mother.