Words are powerful. How certain words or terms are used can have a significant impact, especially when it comes to organ, eye and tissue donation. Language shapes how we view organ, eye and tissue donation. It helps correct myths and honors those who give the gift of life.
The list below provides guidelines around which organ donation terms to avoid and the most appropriate terminology to use instead. Avoiding certain terms and phrases can both reduce concern among donor families and help to increase public understanding and acceptance of the donation process.
Use the terms Recover or Procure instead of Harvest, and Donated Organs and Tissues instead of Body Parts
Some organ donation terms are used in medicine but can feel disrespectful to donor families. Words like “harvest” can sound cold or dehumanizing. Instead, use “recover,” “procure,” or “donated organs and tissues.” These terms show that donation is handled with care and respect for every donor and family.
Deceased Donor or Deceased Donation instead of Cadaver or Cadaveric Donation
Similar to the terms above, while “cadaver” has long been accepted medically, it is important to use terminology that is considerate of donor families and conveys to the public the respect and care that donors are treated with throughout the entire process. Additionally, while there didn’t used to be a need to make a distinction between living and deceased donation, more and more people are making the life-saving decision to become a living donor. Using the terms “deceased donor” and “deceased donation” help to make a clear distinction between living and deceased donors.
Ventilator Support or Mechanical Support instead of Life Support
Death can happen in two ways: cardiac death, when the heart stops beating, and brain death, the irreversible loss of all brain function. The term “life support” can be confusing, especially in cases of brain death. Brain death is final, it’s not a coma or vegetative state. No form of support can reverse it. When brain death is declared, organ, eye and tissue donation may still be possible. In these cases, “mechanical support” keeps blood and oxygen flowing to preserve organs and tissues for donation.
Donation is a Decision not a Wish
Signing up as an organ, eye and tissue donor is a first-person authorized decision. It means you’ve chosen to donate at the time of your death. Using the word “wish” instead of “decision” can make it sound like your choice isn’t final. But your decision to be a donor cannot be changed by your family. That’s why it’s so important to share your decision and talk with your loved ones about helping others through donation.
Learn more and sign up to become a donor anytime online at Donate Life Colorado or Donate Life Wyoming.
Eleven years ago, Amy was balancing life as a busy mom of three when she got news that would change everything: a breast cancer diagnosis. After a bilateral mastectomy, she had reconstructive surgery that used donated tissue, a gift that played a big part in her recovery.
As a longtime nurse, Amy shared she had some knowledge on the organ and tissue donation process. But becoming a recipient herself gave her a whole new perspective. She realized that donation isn’t only about lifesaving organ transplants, it can also mean restoring health, confidence, and hope through tissue.
Her experience deepened her gratitude and strengthened her passion for helping others. Over the years, Amy has witnessed the many sides of donation. She saw patients waiting for transplants, families making the decision to give, and recipients whose lives were forever changed. Now, she carries that understanding into both her work and her everyday life. Amy shared that her experience has given her a deeper understanding of gratitude each day. “I wake up every morning and that’s one of my first thoughts every morning. just being grateful I’m here with my daughters,” Amy shared. Her journey has inspired her to live a life full of love and purpose, and to encourage others to consider the lifesaving and healing impact of organ, eye and tissue donation.
Students, professionals and caregivers are invited to Gillette College Tech Center to learn about end of life preparation, grieving, and self care from professionals including a 1:00pm presentation by Gary Lohgry, Regional Donation Consultant for Donor Alliance, on the impact of saving and healing lives through organ, eye & tissue donation.
When Allison Vogel’s son Tanner received his driver’s permit, he made a simple decision that would go on to change countless lives. He registered as an organ, eye and tissue donor. Tanner’s choice became his lasting legacy, bringing hope and healing to more than 120 people. Tanner was a lifelong baseball fan with an unshakable love for the Colorado Rockies, a passion that began with a plastic bat at age two and grew through years of Little League, college ball, and coaching. His joy for life, kindness, and generosity continue to shine through those he helped.
For Allison, sharing Tanner’s story and meeting one of his kidney recipients has brought comfort and connection through her grief. “It’s helped with the grief,” Allison shared. “To see the lives Tanner touched, to know he’s a hero to so many, it means everything.”
In May of 2025, Allison took the pitcher’s mound at Coors Field to honor her son, a tribute to Tanner’s love of baseball and the legacy of hope he left behind. “I know he would be proud of me,” Allison reflected.
For the second year, Donor Alliance will be participating in the Rocky Mountain Vibes Baseballoween at the Rocky Mountain Vibes Stadium! This a FREE event for everyone to enjoy trick-or-treating on the field, playing games on our concourse, watching a movie on our video board, eating your favorite concession items and trying seasonal craft beers. There will also be a costume contest for all ages. Don’t miss out on this spooktacular event on Friday, October 24th at 5:30-8:30 PM!
In December 2021, Bryan’s life was put on hold when he was diagnosed with chronic liver disease. After 12 surgeries and two challenging years, he received a liver transplant in December 2023, a true gift of life. Since his transplant, Bryan has poured himself into recovery, putting in over 1,000 miles of walking to rebuild his strength and find joy in movement again. He was able to retire as Middle School Principal in Littleton at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. He feels endless gratitude toward his donor and their family, his loved ones, and the amazing medical team who supported him every step of the way. He now shares his story and encourages people to check the box ‘yes’ to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor. “It’s a simple decision for you and life-changing for our community,” Bryan said. “You have the power to transforms the lives of others, just as my donor has transformed mine.”
Organ and tissue transplantation in the U.S. has a long, groundbreaking history dating back over 150 years. From the first skin graft in 1869 to the first successful kidney transplant in 1954, medical advances have transformed the way lives are saved and healed every day. We’ll explore milestones in organ, eye and tissue donation that continue to shape modern transplantation.
Tissue Transplants Came First
Did you know the first U.S. tissue bank was established by the Navy in 1949? While tissue transplants date back to the 1800s, storing them for later use didn’t start until then. Today, over 120 accredited tissue banks nationwide continue to innovate, saving and healing millions every year.
Organ Transplant History: Living Donation Preceded Deceased Donation
The first successful kidney transplant took place in Boston in 1954, when Dr. Joseph Murray transplanted a kidney from Ronald Herrick to his identical twin brother. The number of kidney transplants has continued to increase since, with over 25,000 performed annually in recent year Today, living donation remains a vital option for patients on the waiting list. Learn more about how to become a living donor.
Organ Transplant History: Deceased Donation Quickly Followed
Organ transplant history is not linear. The advent of deceased organ donation and transplant had some of its beginnings in Colorado. Successful organ recoveries from deceased donors began in 1962 with the first deceased donor kidney transplant in Boston. However, it wasn’t until 1967, when Dr. Thomas Starzl performed the first successful liver transplant at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. With deceased donors able to donate lifesaving organs to up to eight different individuals, deceased donation quickly overtook living donation in the number of transplants. In 2024, the United States achieved a record 48,149 organ transplants, marking a 3.3% increase from the previous year. This milestone underscores the growing success and reach of organ transplantation efforts nationwide.
In remarking the history of deceased donation For Stef, a Donor 
Family Coordinator at Donor Alliance, organ donation is deeply personal. Years before joining Donor Alliance, Stef faced unimaginable loss when her older brother Max passed away. In her grief, her family honored Max’s generous spirit by saying ‘yes’ to organ, eye, and tissue donation. Max went on to save five lives and provide healing to many more. “There’s some comfort knowing that your person is out there somewhere and that your person directly ensured somebody else was going to live, which is just so cool,” Stef shared.
Today, Stef helps families navigate the complex emotions surrounding donation through her work at Donor Alliance. From the earliest days of transplant history to the lives saved today, organ donation continues to transform grief into hope. Read Stef’s full story here.
Uniform Anatomical Gift Act Enacted
The Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA) was first enacted in 1968 to create a standard legal framework for organ and tissue donation in the U.S. It was revised in 1987 and again in 2006. All 50 states and D.C. have adopted some version of the UAGA, with Colorado and Wyoming using the 2006 revision. The 2006 update simplified donation, allowing consent through driver’s licenses, advance directives, or online registries. It also clarified individual rights and strengthened the legal standing of donation choices. Overall, the UAGA has helped standardize and guide organ and tissue donation nationwide. The adoption of the UAGA:
- Allows individuals to make an anatomical (or bodily) gift to be effective after death
- Establishes donor registries (like signing up on the Donate Life Colorado or Wyoming donor registry) as a valid document of gift (official, sworn statement confirming the gift)
- Makes registries first-person authorization, advance directives (like a will)
- Creates a list of legal next of kin who may authorize for donation if the donor is not on the donor registry
- Prohibits trafficking in human organs for profit from donations for transplant or therapy
Read the entire Colorado UAGA and Wyoming UAGA.
Where is your dot on the timeline?
Since 1988, the United States has performed over 1 million organ transplants, making it the global leader in transplantation Donate Life America. Whether you registered as a donor when you received your driver’s permit or were inspired to sign up online, your decision to say “Yes” to donation connects you to a community dedicated to saving and healing lives. Each donor has the potential to save up to eight lives through organ donation and heal the lives of more than 75 individuals through tissue donation.
Check out these resources to learn more about organ transplant history. Up to date data can be found here: https://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/data/view-data-reports/national-data/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3495391/#ref11
https://unos.org/transplant/history/
https://www.organdonor.gov/about/facts-terms/history.html
https://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/learn/about-transplantation/history/
Honoring Donors, Recipients and Supporters During Hispanic Heritage Month
In the month of September, we begin honoring Hispanic Heritage Month, a national celebration that recognizes the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanics and Latinos in the United States. From September 15 to October 15, communities, organizations, and businesses nationwide host events to highlight and celebrate this heritage
The need for lifesaving organ transplants affects all communities regardless of race, ethnicity, age, or sex; however, when it comes to race, there is an even greater need for organ transplants among diverse communities. Transplants rely on the generosity of organ and tissue donors, and there is a need for more people of color to sign up as organ, eye, and tissue donors in our region and in our country.
The national theme for Hispanic Heritage Month in the U.S. for 2025 is “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future”. This theme encourages the recognition of the rich histories, traditions, and achievements of Hispanic and Latinos in America, while also looking ahead to the creativity and promise of future generations.
Horning Hispanic Heritage Month: The History and Significance.
Hispanic Heritage Month, officially established in the United States in 1988, aligns with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries. It honors the countless contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities—from civil rights leaders like César Chávez to cultural icons such as Selena Quintanilla. Beyond celebration, its purpose is to foster awareness, appreciation, and unity by highlighting the rich diversity of Hispanic and Latinx cultures, promoting inclusivity, and recognizing their profound impact on American society.
That’s why celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month carries such deep significance. It offers a moment to acknowledge and honor the invaluable contributions and vibrant cultures of Hispanic and Latino Americans. More than a commemoration, it stands as a powerful platform to champion diversity, strengthen community bonds, and spotlight the remarkable heritage and achievements that continue to shape the American story.
The Importance of Organ Donation within the Hispanic Community
The importance of organ donation within the Hispanic community cannot be overstated. It is crucial to educate the community about the urgent need for organ and tissue donation, as Hispanics are disproportionately affected by the scarcity of available organs for transplant. In Colorado and Wyoming, the demand for organ transplants among Hispanic individuals is on the rise, with a growing number of people waiting for lifesaving organ transplants. Nearly 103,000 people across the United States are on the waitlist for a lifesaving organ transplant. More than 24,000 of those people are from Hispanic communities.
By May 2025, around 26,549 Hispanic individuals were waiting for an organ transplant in the United States—about 22.6% of all candidates on the national list. This figure highlights the growing demand for transplants in the Hispanic community, where conditions such as kidney disease and fatty liver disease occur at disproportionately high rates. And while the number of Hispanic organ donors has risen, a wide gap still persists between those in need of a transplant and the number of organs donated within the community.
Advocating for increased donor registration among Hispanics is essential to address this disparity to save and heal more lives. Organizations like Donor Alliance, a nonprofit that saves and heals lives through organ and tissue donation for transplantation in Colorado and most of Wyoming, play a pivotal role in raising awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation. It highlights the significance of community engagement and support to meet the pressing needs of the Hispanic population and ensure access to lifesaving transplants.
Donor Alliance: Honoring Organ and Tissue Donors, Celebrating Lives Saved, and Recognizing Those Who Wait from Hispanic Communities.
As Donor Alliance honors Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to highlight a few local stories about donation and transplantation.
Adilem, Liver Recipient. Colorado Springs
Jaime, Cornea Recipient. Aurora Colorado
Aris & his son Dominic. Supporters in Colorado
MEET GUADALUPE, A RECIPIENT FROM CASPER, WY
Guadalupe was born in Lima, Peru; in 2010, she moved to Casper, Wyoming. Guadalupe went for a routine examination when her medical team discovered her kidney function was abnormal. Guadalupe learned she had stage three chronic kidney disease due to genetics and would need a kidney transplant to save her life. Read more about Guadalupe’s transplant journey here.
