Staff Spotlight: Diane Bacino

Diane Bacino – Hospital Development Coordinator

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: Diane Bacino

Position: Hospital Development Coordinator

Years at Donor Alliance: 15 years

Why you chose Donor Alliance: While working at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science ‘Hall of Life’ as a Health Educator, I developed the Transplantation Science Outreach Program for high school students obtaining their driver’s license. That program was then adopted by Donor Alliance and has now successfully expanded to reach thousands of young people in our community each year. A Hospital Development position opened at Donor Alliance which turned my love for teaching into rewarding life’s work.

Why do you like working at DA: Working predominantly in a pediatric setting in donation and transplantation, I’m reminded of the fragility of life and how things can change for a family in a split second. Involvement with the courageous families who, in the midst of unspeakable grief, find strength to help others in need has been life-altering for me. My work at Donor Alliance reminds me to never take life and loved ones for granted and to appreciate life’s beauty during times of both tragedy and celebration. The profound realization that one family’s loss becomes another family’s miracle gives new meaning of the ‘circle of life’. Helping to develop relationships within the hospital setting with physicians and the health care team has given me a greater inspiration to share a common collaborative process during end of life care.

What does donation and transplantation mean to you: It’s a privilege to be part of something that is bigger and far reaching than that of my own little world. I am so fortunate to wake up every morning with a passion and a purpose knowing that what I do directly impacts humankind! I have met some of the greatest people who have become like family to me who do such amazing work….it’s all so humbling!

Any direct connection to donation and transplantation?: Yes, my brother was a corneal donor. Knowing he gave sight to two people gave me hope and comfort through my loss. In addition, my 5 year old cousin went into sudden kidney failure and needed an immediate life-saving transplant. His mom gave him the Gift of Life for a second time and became his living donor.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working (hobbies and such): I fix and flip homes, garden, spend time in Steamboat visiting my daughter, bike and hike. When time permits, I’m a dog walker for the neighbors.