April is National Donate Life Month, a national observance highlighting the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation. Flag-raising ceremonies bring awareness of what it means to be an organ donor and highlights the partnership between Donor Alliance and Intermountain Health Platte Valley. Please meet inside the main entrance.
April is National Donate Life Month, a national observance highlighting the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation. Flag-raising ceremonies bring awareness of what it means to be an organ donor and highlights the partnership between Donor Alliance and Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital.
Do you want to contribute to the Donor Family Quilt Project, but not sure where to start? Join us at our Quilt Square Workshop where you will create a meaningful one-of-a-kind quilt square in honor of your loved one to be included in the Donor Family Quilt Project. No sewing or crafting experience is required. This is a no-sew workshop, and we will guide you step by step as you create a quilt square in honor of your loved one.
Register here: Quilt Square Workshop – Donor Alliance
Can My Family Override My Decision to be a Donor?
A common question from registered organ, eye and tissue donors, or those considering registering is whether family members can override their decision to be a donor. The short answer is no. In Colorado and Wyoming, your decision to register as a donor is legally binding, but understanding why and how to prepare your family can provide peace of mind and also ensure your decision is honored.
What Does It Mean to Register as a Donor?
When you register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor that means you have made the decision to give the gift of life after you pass away by providing an organ, organs or a partial organ to be transplanted into one or more people. While the list of organs and tissues that can be successfully transplanted continues to grow with advances in technology, eight of the major organs can be transplanted, along with corneas and tissues, including bones, bone marrow, skin and heart valves. As an adult (age 18+), registering your decision to be a donor creates a first-person authorized advanced directive. Like a will or healthcare power of attorney, this decision is legally binding and cannot be overridden by family members.
When you say “yes” to donation, either online, at the DMV, or through another registration method, you’ve made a decision that will be honored by medical professionals and Donor Alliance (the federally designated organ procurement organization for Colorado and most of Wyoming).
Legal Protection for Donor Decisions in Colorado and Wyoming
Laws in both Colorado and Wyoming protect your right to make your own decision. The donor registry acts as your legally documented consent, ensuring that:
- Your personal decision regarding organ donation is honored
- Family members can’t reverse your registration
- Your decision remains in effect unless you personally change it
Understanding the Donor Registry
The donor registry is a secure, state-managed electronic database that serves as the official legal record of your decision to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor. Both the Donate Life Colorado registry and Donate Life Wyoming registry are confidential systems that require individuals to actively opt in to organ, eye and tissue donation.
The Impact of Your Decision
Registering as a donor creates a ripple effect of hope. One donor can save up to 8 lives through organ donation and save and heal more than 75 lives through cornea, skin, bone, heart valve, and other tissue donations. Over 100,000 people across the nation are waiting for lifesaving organ transplants. In Colorado and Wyoming, more than 1,300 are waiting for a lifesaving transplant. For those on the waiting list, your decision to register could mean the difference between life and death.
What Role Does My Family Play in the Organ Donation Process?
When You’re a Registered Organ, Eye and Tissue Donor
While families can’t override a registered donor’s decision, they play an essential supporting role in the organ donation process. When a registered organ donor passes away, Donor Alliance will:
- Verify the individual’s registration status through the state donor registry
- Notify the family of their loved one’s decision to be a donor
- Provide compassionate support and guidance throughout the donation process
- Answer questions about organ, eye and tissue donation procedures
When Someone Is Not Registered
If an individual that has passed away is not registered as an organ donor, family members will be approached to authorize the gift of donation on their loved one’s behalf. This is why registering your decision and discussing it with your loved ones is so important.
Why Family Members Cannot Override Organ Donor Decisions
Protecting Families During Grief
The policy preventing family override exists primarily to protect families during their most vulnerable moments. Losing a loved one is devastating enough without adding the burden of making critical medical decisions during an already painful time.
Before Anna’s husband, Mike, passed away in 2022, his decision to be a donor was made known to his loved ones. “I knew for 30 years how important organ donation was to him,” said Anna. “It’s one of the best gifts that you can give your family and ultimately recipients.”
How to Talk to Your Family About Organ Donation
Although your family can’t override your decision, having open conversations about donation is essential. When you discuss your decision to be a donor with your loved ones, you are helping them to understand and respect your decision. You are also giving them the opportunity to ask questions and share their own decisions about donation.
Consider sharing stories of how donation has impacted real families in Colorado and Wyoming. Personal stories can help your loved ones understand the difference donation makes and why your decision is so important to you.
Take Action
Visit Donate Life Colorado or Donate Life Wyoming to join the registry.
Your decision to be a donor is a gift that extends far beyond your lifetime. By registering and discussing your decision with loved ones, you’re not just saving and healing lives, you’re also giving your family the gift of clarity.
Did you know over 90% of registered organ, eye & tissue donors make their decision at driver services? Let’s say ‘thank you’ to WYDOT Driver Services for their contribution to saving and healing lives! Join us for remarks followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony, the official roll out of our ‘Check The Box’ campaign featuring University of Wyoming athletes, and light refreshments.
Did you know over 90% of registered organ, eye & tissue donors make their decision at driver services? Let’s say ‘thank you’ to WYDOT Driver Services for their contribution to saving and healing lives! Join us for remarks followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony, the official roll out of our ‘Check The Box’ campaign featuring University of Wyoming athletes, and light refreshments.
