What is a Donate Life flag raising ceremony and what does it mean?

Have you ever seen a Donate Life flag raising ceremony? Ever wondered what the Donate Life flag represents? In this post, we’re breaking down what the ceremony means and why they are held, what the flag stands for, and how you can continue to show your support for organ, eye and tissue donation.

National Donate Life Month is just around the corner!

This month-long celebration in April honors the generosity of organ, eye and tissue donors and their families and commemorates all transplant recipients and those still waiting for a lifesaving transplant.

What is a Donate Life flag raising ceremony and what does it mean?

If you have never been a part of a flag raising ceremony or you have driven by a local hospital and witnessed the Donate Life flag flying on their flagpole in April, you’ve probably wondered what it means.

Each year, hospitals across the United States raise Donate Life flags and fly them all month long as part of National Donate Life Month (NDLM). NDLM is a time to spread awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation and to honor those who gave the gift of life. Donate Life flags have served as a nationwide display of unity, remembrance, and hope, while honoring those touched by donation and transplantation since 2006.

Flag raising ceremonies, though unique to the attendees and the hospitals hosting them, is a display of honor and support for organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

Beginning next week, numerous hospitals in our region will raise the Donate Life flag in a ceremonial fashion. To find an event near you to attend, visit our event calendar.

Each ceremony is unique to the attendees and hospital, but the display of honor and support for donation and transplantation holds true across Colorado and Wyoming.

What Does the Donate Life Flag Represent?

Since 2006, Donate Life flags have served as a nationwide display of unity, remembrance and hope. They are a symbol to honor heroic organ, eye and tissue donors.

While Donate Life flag raising ceremonies are often held in April for National Donate Life Month, the Donate Life flag can actually fly all year long.

In Colorado, many hospitals fly the flag every time someone has given the gift of life through organ and tissue donation. Flying that flag is a small yet powerful way to honor selfless donors and their families.

What Can You Do to Show Your Support?

Now that you know what the Donate Life flag represents and why flag raising ceremonies take place in Colorado, we encourage you to keep an eye out for the Donate Life flag when you drive by a local hospital. Some even hold a small moment of silent reverence for donors and their family whenever they see the Donate Life flag flying high.

This April, be sure to #ShowYourHeart in honor of National Donate Life month. Getting involved is easy! Upload a photo, customize it with a heart that represents the gift of life, then share that photo, and why you signed up as a donor, on social! Help us reach 2,000 photo submissions in April to represent the number of people in our local area waiting for a lifesaving transplant.

One way you can show your support and honor all those who have given the gift of life all year long, is to sign up as an organ, eye and tissue donor. You can sign up online anytime at Donate Life Colorado or at the Driver License Office, when you renew or obtain your driver license or state I.D.

If just 2,000 of us inspire one person to sign up, thousands of Coloradans could be saved through organ, eye and tissue donation. Just like to Donate Life flag spreads awareness and honor for the gift of life, you can spread awareness too to help save lives – the lives of our neighbors, friends and loved ones.

Join the celebration this year by signing up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at Donate Life Colorado or Donate Life Wyoming. Then checkout all the other ways you can celebrate National Donate Life Month with us and #ShowYourHeart!