Jennifer Moe

Director of Communications/PR

Donor Alliance

303-329-4747

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE DEGETTE; MAYOR HICKENLOOPER ADVOCATE FOR ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION

Officials stress the need for organ and tissue donors during National Donate Life Month

Denver—April 10, 2006—With more than 1,600 people in Colorado and Wyoming currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, officials spoke out today about the need for people to sign-up to be organ and tissue donors.

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and U.S. Congresswoman Diana DeGette spearheaded an organ and tissue donor registry drive today in Denver. The event, in Larimer Square, was part of several National Donate Life Month activities being conducted by Donor Alliance and the American Transplant Foundation.

“Seeing the difference that organ donation can make in people’s lives made me want to participate in this donor registry drive,” said Mayor Hickenlooper. “While registering is amazingly easy, the benefits of organ and tissue registration are profound, save lives and preserve families.”

“There are several myths that prevent citizens of Colorado from signing-up on the organ and tissue donor registry,” noted the Congresswoman. “I urge everyone to learn more about organ and tissue donation at donoralliance.org or americantransplantfoundation.org.”

To celebrate National Donate Life Month, organ and tissue donor registry drives are also being conducted at two other Denver landmarks later this month. In addition to registering to be a donor, the public is invited to attend these drives to learn more about organ and tissue donation, blood donation, bone marrow donation, and living donation.

Special appearances by Governor Owens and Senator Salazar will be on the following dates/times:

-Monday, April 17th at 10:00 a.m. -- Governor Owens in the Capitol’s West wing

-Monday, April 24th at 9:00 a.m. -- Senator Ken Salazar at the Blair Caldwell Library


“We’re delighted Mayor Hickenlooper and Congresswoman DeGette have agreed to join us today to reach out to the community to stress the importance of signing-up to be an organ and tissue donor,” said Sue Dunn, Donor Alliance president and CEO. “By increasing the number of those signing up to be donors, we hope to reduce the time that people will have to wait for an organ transplant.”

Heidi Heltzel, executive director of the American Transplant Foundation said, “There is nothing more heroic than saving someone’s life, and all you need to do is sign-up. It’s that simple. We’re eager for the public to join our state’s political leaders to give the gift of life and, at the same time, learn more about organ and tissue donation.”

We are pleased to announce the creation of Colorado’s new specialty Donate Life license plate. CLICK HERE.

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