Jennifer Bailey 303-329-4747, Donor Alliance contact
Sarah Finley 303-320-7790, Media contact
Heidi Heltzel 303-475-0127, American Transplant Foundation contact
GOVERNOR OWENS STESSES NEED FOR ORGAN AND TISSUE DONOR REGISTRATION
April is National Donate Life Month
Denver—April 17, 2006—With more than 1,600 people in Colorado and Wyoming currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, Colorado Governor Bill Owens spoke out today about the need for people to sign-up to be organ and tissue donors.
The Governor’s address came during an organ and tissue donor registry drive at the State Capitol. The event was sponsored by Donor Alliance and the American Transplant Foundation.
“Some years ago I added my name to the list of organ and tissue donors. Today I encourage thousands of other Coloradans to do the same,” said Gov. Owens. “On average, nine people in Colorado die each month as they wait for a lifesaving organ that will arrive too late.”
To celebrate National Donate Life Month, organ and tissue donor registry drives are being conducted at three Denver landmarks 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.
In addition to registering at these drives, residents can register to be organ and tissue donors by going to ColoradoDonorRegistry.org. Residents can also register when they receive or renew their driver’s license.
The final organ and tissue registry drive will be led by U.S. Senator Ken Salazar at the Blair Caldwell Library on Monday, April 24th at 9:00 a.m. The library is located at 2401 Welton Street.
“We appreciate the Governor speaking out today in support of Colorado’s organ and tissue donor registry,” said Sue Dunn, Donor Alliance president and CEO. “With people being added to the waiting list daily in Colorado and Wyoming, it is our duty to educate the public about this need and take action by encouraging people to sign-up to be donors.”
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.”
About Donor Alliance
Donor Alliance is the federally designated non-profit organ procurement organization serving Colorado and Wyoming. As a recognized leader in facilitating the donation and recovery of transplantable organs and tissues, Donor Alliance’s primary objectives are to save and enhance the lives of others. To achieve these objectives, Donor Alliance employs an effective family approach and recovery programs in over 100 hospitals, and increases the awareness of the need for organ and tissue donation through public awareness and education campaigns in its service area. For more information, please visit www.DonorAlliance.org.
About American Transplant Foundation
The American Transplant Foundation is a national 501©3 non-profit organization that strives to eliminate our country’s shortage of human transplant organs. Based in Denver, Colorado, the American Transplant Foundation is participating in coordinated collaborative efforts to promote the advancement of organ transplants. By promoting awareness, developing better publicly supported legislation and increasing funding for research and science, the Foundation’s efforts will facilitate elimination of the gap between the critical demand for organs and their supply, thus saving lives every day. For more information please visit www.AmericanTransplantFoundation.org.
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