DENVER – Jan. 26, 2026 – Despite unprecedented shifts in the nationwide landscape for organ donation and transplantation, Donor Alliance has once again reached new milestones in its mission to save and heal lives in Colorado and Wyoming. In 2025, the selfless generosity of a record 314 organ donors from the region led to 1,036 lifesaving organ transplants, marking a 9.4% increase over the previous year and saving the most lives in a single year in the organization’s history.
“In 2025, there has been increased national attention on organ donation and transplantation, particularly around the need for transparency, safety, and standardized practices. As an organization, we have welcomed and embraced these important discussions, turning them into opportunities to demonstrate our organizational commitment to performance excellence and our effectiveness in serving the Rocky Mountain region,” said Jennifer Prinz, President and CEO of Donor Alliance. “Achieving record-breaking results during this period of change reflects the generosity of our donor families and the unwavering dedication of our team and partners. Behind every statistic is a life saved, a donor legacy honored, and hope restored to families in our community.”
In addition to the lives saved through organ donation, Donor Alliance honored the lives of 1,880 tissue donors by recovering lifesaving and healing tissues, which provided more than 140,000 tissue grafts for those in need. These gifts provide hope and healing to tens of thousands of people suffering from trauma, disease, or blindness. The organization’s partnership with Ossium Health also allowed Donor Alliance to recover bone marrow from deceased donors, expanding access to this critical form of treatment for blood cancers and other diseases in ways previously thought impossible.
In 2025, the generosity of residents in Colorado and Wyoming also continued to lead the country. Both states ranked among the top ten nationally for Donor Designation Rates (DDR), or the percentage of residents who register as organ, eye and tissue donors. This generosity translates directly to lives saved. Today, more than 1,300 people across Colorado and Wyoming continue to wait for a lifesaving transplant. Every person who chooses to save a life by joining the donor registry brings us closer to eliminating the waitlist.
One person can save up to eight lives through organ donation and save and heal more than 75 lives through tissue donation. For more information or to register as an organ and tissue donor, please visit DonorAlliance.org.
Micah was born in 2002 with cerebral palsy and faced many medical challenges from the start. Despite this, he lived a joyful and full life. “He was a great force; he was integrated into a typical classroom. He spread joy with children that he came in contact with. Everything he did, he just loved life,” Cindy Coker, Micah’s mother, remembers. Micah loved being around people, laughing, music, school, and just being included. Micah and his family spent his life advocating for families who have loved ones with special needs and helping other kids get the care they needed. He showed everyone around him what it means to care for others.
When Micah passed suddenly, Cindy and her family faced unimaginable grief. They chose to pursue organ donation, finding comfort in knowing his generosity could give other families more time with their loved ones. Cindy remembers the support of the donation team, who guided them through the process with care and understanding. “It meant a lifetime of reflection, therapy and comfort that we did the right thing,” Cindy reflected.
Micah’s memory is honored through the annual Micah Memorial 3-Man 3-Gun Match, which raises funds for Donor Alliance. Cindy’s hope is that families are inspired to consider organ donation, knowing the lifesaving and healing difference it can make. “There are hundreds of thousands of people out there that are requiring donation,” Cindy said. “Absolutely 100% check the box, you’ll be saving countless lives by checking a box and getting that heart on your driver license.”
Mary Kay Pieper describes her late son, Nathan, as caring, kind, and faith filled. His whole family would agree that Nathan was a friend to many, and led a life filled with love and generosity. After an unexpected fatal event in 2017, Nathan’s family got the news that no parent ever should receive. They faced grief beyond words in losing their 22-year-old son who they loved dearly. What brings comfort to the Pieper family is knowing even in his death, Nathan was able to save and heal over 80 lives, living on in his memory through organ and tissue donation.
“Nathan was just full of joy. He always said ‘hi’ to everyone. He was outgoing. He had over 800 contacts at college,” Mary Kay described. “He was athletic. He was a hunter. He was just always out there, giving from the heart. Always.”
Nathan’s family participates in the annual Wyoming Donor Dash every year in Nathan’s honor, wearing shirts that say, ‘Walk for Nathan.’ For Mary Kay and the team, the birds flying overhead while they walk is a sign from Nathan that he’s with them, smiling down on them.
“Life is precious,” said Mary Kay. “Handle it every day with faith and love. Share life and celebrate memories every day because you never know when life is going to end. But always be willing to give it to others if you can.”
The Micah Memorial 3-Man 3-Gun Match is an annual shooting event honoring the life of Micah DeSplinter. Micah’s legacy continues to live on through those he saved and healed through organ donation, and his support for families with loved ones who have disabilities. Teams of three compete across rifle, pistol, and shotgun stages, testing skill, speed, and teamwork in a welcoming, community-focused environment. The event raises awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation and benefits Donor Alliance. The time of the event and registration details available will be available soon!
Honoring the lives of organ, eye, and tissue donors, celebrating the lives of transplant recipients and recognizing those who continue to wait for a transplant, join us at the annual Wyoming Donor Dash. The 2026 Wyoming Donor Dash will be on Saturday, April 25, 2026. View our Wyoming Donor Dash Page for more details!
