At only 2 months old, Lella, of Delta, Colo. suffered from a rare liver condition and was added to the transplant waitlist. Five months later, a family’s decision during a dark moment provided Lella with a bright future. She received a lifesaving and healing gift – a liver.
Now a teenager, Lella’s donor has given her a chance to find her passion for dance, go to her high school state swimming championships, and spend time with her friends and family. Lella also became the face that inspires people to say “Yes” and check the box as an organ, eye and tissue donor at the DMV. She is featured on Donate Life Colorado posters and brochures at Colorado Division of Motor Vehicle (DMV) offices across the Western Slope. Her story connects customers to the mission of saving and healing lives.
In 2024, it came full circle for Lella at the Delta Driver License Office when she got her driver license. For the first time, Lella was able to say “yes” and check the box to the simple question that ultimately gave her the gift of life.
“We are so thankful for our donor family’s gift to Lella,” said Lyndall, Lella’s mother. “Our goal as a family is to help someone else, if possible. To see Lella make that choice to register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor filled our hearts with overwhelming pride and hope.”
Watch a video from Lella (make this statement a link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDnbCmjdLfs)
Every day feels like a gift for Jeremy, of Pueblo, Colo. After being added to the transplant waitlist for a liver in February 2018, Jeremy found himself waiting for that lifesaving gift in an ICU.
“It’s like life flashing before your eyes,” he explains. “You’re in the surgical trauma ICU, and you can’t leave without a liver. Everything is dependent on someone else’s yes.”
Just 10 days later, a donor and their family’s decision gave Jeremy the gift of life. With each new day, Jeremy honors his donor. Organ donation is a heroic decision that represents the best of humanity. This miraculous gift transformed Jeremy in many ways
Since his transplant, Jeremy’s life has experienced growth and new beginnings. Thanks to his generous donor and their family, Jeremy has been able to exercise, buy a house, and even find love.
Reflecting on his journey, he shares, “Have you ever said a word to yourself so many times that it loses all meaning? You need a better word, thankful, gratitude; there’s not a stronger word. I don’t have one.”
Watch a video from Jeremy (make this statement a link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DkZFCWUR-s )
When you say “Yes” to becoming an organ and tissue donor, you’re not just checking a box. You’re bridging hope from one life to the next. For Cody, of Pueblo, Colo., he felt like an “abutment” on that bridge. After serious illness left him in desperate need of a liver transplant, in early 2024, Cody received the gift of life from a generous donor.
Cody is now determined to share his story so more people can understand the impact of organ and tissue donation. “When you make that decision to be a donor, you’re not only affecting one person’s life, you’re making a ripple effect through everyone they’re connected with, hundreds of lives,” said Cody. “It’s a ripple effect that your donation can offer to the community.”
Cody’s story shows our community’s collective commitment to being “Rocky Mountain Strong.” Thanks to his generous donor and their family, Cody is enjoying his newly bought home with his fiancé (and their dog) and living each day to honor his donor’s precious gift.
“Statistically, I shouldn’t be here right now,” said Cody. “Something I think about every day is that that gift to me is a debt I can’t repay. So, I hope to be able to tell the donor’s family at some point that that gift is very much appreciated, more than I can express.”
Watch a video from Cody (make this statement a link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcFMtm_zcvs)
Donor Alliance is often asked who can’t be an organ, eye and tissue donor. The short answer is, everyone has the potential to be an organ, eye and tissue donor!
Even if you have a chronic illness or health condition when you pass away, you still may be able to give the gift of life to someone in need. Never rule yourself out, regardless of age, lifestyle or health.
What is the age limit on becoming a donor?
There is no age limit to be a donor. Heroes of all ages have given the gift of life.
In Colorado and Wyoming, the oldest tissue donor was 103 years old! The oldest organ donor was well into their 80s! Don’t rule yourself out. You’re NEVER too old to say Yes and give the gift of life.
Local Connection: Charles Shobe of Jeffrey City, Wyoming was 89 years old when he gave the gift of life through tissue. His decision to be a donor healed the lives of 18 people. Charles’s story is proof you are never too old to make a difference.
What if I’m not healthy enough to be a donor?
Many chronically ill donors have also successfully given the gift of life. Even those with serious health conditions, like diabetes, hepatitis or even rare medical conditions, have helped to save and heal countless lives. Kate Gallagher of Monument, Colorado was one of those heroes.
Local Connection: Kate was diagnosed with Budd-Chiari Syndrome—a rare clotting disease of the liver—and was placed on the waitlist for a liver transplant. While awaiting her transplant, Kate suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and passed away. As an organ donor, she saved three lives. A grandfather and a grandmother each received one of her kidneys. While her heart saved a 12-year-old girl who suffered a heart attack on a basketball court.
How can I help?
Right now, nearly 1,300 people across Colorado and Wyoming are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. Tens of thousands of more people need a tissue transplant. Each year, tissue transplants help those suffering from trauma, disease or blindness. One person can save up to eight lives through organ donation and save and heal up to 75 lives through tissue donation.
Say “Yes” and check the box to be an organ, eye and tissue donor the next time you’re at the DMV. You can also register today at DonorAlliance.org.
Breast Cancer Awareness: How Tissue Donation Impacts Experiences with Double Mastectomy and Reconstruction
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Donor Alliance is educating people about how the lifesaving and healing gifts of tissue can help those recovering from a double mastectomy. One person can save up to eight lives through organ donation and save and heal up to 75 lives through tissue donation. This includes breast reconstruction.
Understanding Double Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction: Procedure and Recovery Process
A double mastectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of both breasts, often as a preventive measure in cases of genetic predisposition to breast cancer. This intricate process consists of several crucial steps, with a unique twist in some cases: the inclusion of donated tissue from someone who passed away. Donated tissue, such as fat grafts or skin flaps from the patient’s own body or tissue from a donor, plays a vital role in the reconstruction process, ensuring a more natural, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing result. Beyond the surgery itself, one of the most common concerns is the recovery time. While recovery can vary from person to person, incorporating donated tissue can potentially expedite the healing process. It promotes blood flow and tissue regeneration, ultimately helping patients on their journey towards physical and emotional recovery.
Cathy’s Story
Eight years ago, Cathy Holman of Wyoming received a preventative double mastectomy, including reconstructive surgery. Both her mother and sister suffered from breast cancer. Due to her hereditary risk, Cathy decided a double mastectomy was the best option for facing what was likely the inevitable. The journey, both physically and emotionally, was long. One thing many people don’t consider when getting a double mastectomy with reconstructive surgery is the fact they will likely be utilizing donated tissue from a donor during the reconstruction. For those considering a double mastectomy, whether as a preventative measure or after facing breast cancer head-on, Cathy’s story will help you through the process.
You can learn more about Cathy’s journey at prairiewifeinheels.com
Coping with the Emotional and Physical Aspects of Double Mastectomy
One of the things that helped Cathy prepare for the double mastectomy was having a surgeon who provided options. Initially, Cathy wanted to use her own tissue to support her reconstruction, but unfortunately, she did not have enough excess tissue. This led to a discussion about donated tissue. Donated tissue allows for a more natural-looking reconstruction and provides more support. Cathy explained how she was able to play, hold her kids, and enjoy life because of her generous tissue donor. Just one tissue donor can help up to 10 patients undergoing breast reconstruction.
Healthy Habits That Help during a Double Mastectomy Recovery and Breast Reconstruction Process
Cathy’s recovery following her double mastectomy and reconstruction was no easy task; thankfully, the donated tissue made it easier. Many people don’t realize a double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery is not a one-time procedure. It requires multiple surgeries over the course of a few months to a year. Being active and eating healthy allows for a strong and healthy recovery from a double mastectomy and reconstruction. Ultimately, donated tissue helps immensely with this process. It allows the recipient to become active more quickly and ease back into their normal life.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Ways to Get Involved
By registering to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor, you can one day help someone in need of breast reconstruction. Additionally, tissue transplants help tens of thousands of people each year suffering from trauma, disease or blindness. Registering is easy! Simply say “Yes” and check the box the next time you get your driver license or state ID. You can also register today at DonorAlliance.org.
Donation Essentials Blog
Curious how organs are transported for transplant?
All local organs for transplant are accompanied by a certified courier and/or tracked using a monitoring device. It’s important to keep a few facts in mind when about how organs are transported:
- The time donor kidneys remain viable outside the body allows for the use of commercial transport which helps control costs and keeps transplant accessible for more patients in need.
- Though one potentially lifesaving organ going unused is too many, a very small number of kidneys, approximately 0.14% in the last five years nationally, have been compromised due to transportation issues.
- Donor Alliance employs the use of kidney perfusion machines in the vast majority of cases which allow for remote monitoring of the organ.
The Organ Transportation Process
Organs recovered for transplant include: heart, lungs, kidney, liver, pancreas and small intestine.
- Preservation: Once the organs have been recovered, timing becomes essential for the success of the transplantation. Each organ is carefully preserved using special solutions and packed on ice for transportation to the transplant center. There are specific processes in place to ensure that each organ is packaged and labeled appropriately.
- Transportation: Most organs travel to the hospital of the waiting recipient, escorted by the recovering surgeon and are then given to the surgeon who will perform the transplant. Since our service area covers all of Colorado and most of Wyoming, sometimes a flight is required to transport the organs from the donation hospital to the transplant center. In that case, we work closely with a private charter flight service to transport the organs to transplant centers. If a commercial flight is needed, the organs are always accompanied by a certified courier and/or tracked using a monitoring device.
Revolutionizing and Expediting Lifesaving Organ & Tissue Transport
In 2023, Donor Alliance joined the Matador Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) Consortium to explore the possibility of leveraging advanced drone technology to quickly transport lifesaving organs across long distances between rural hospitals and hospitals where transplants occur. Currently, OPOs leverage both commercial and private ground and air transportation services for safe delivery of donated organs and tissue. The initiative is working in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration to build a corridor to ensure airspace for drone travel, which will be another tool used by OPOs to transport lifesaving organs and other timely medical needs.
“Nearly 1,300 people in Colorado and Wyoming are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant,” said Jennifer Prinz, president and CEO of Donor Alliance. “Donor Alliance is committed to exploring innovation that can help us honor donors’ gifts in rural communities and save and heal recipients in a safe and timely manner.”
The Tissue Transportation Process
Tissues recovered for transplant are: bones, tendons, heart valves, veins, arteries, skin, and corneas.
- Preservation: Once the tissues for transplantation are procured, they are carefully placed in the appropriate preservation solution, packaged and labeled. All tissues are preserved in coolers, where temperatures are monitored.
- Transportation: The tissues are couriered to the tissue processors, who perform additional testing on the tissues to ensure they are safe for transplantation and prepare them for the recipients. When the tissues are being transported from the recovery facility to the tissue processor there is regular and consistent communication between both parties to ensure that the tissues arrive within the necessary time frames. Hearts recovered for valve transplantation must arrive at the Processor facility within 24 hours of recovery. Because tissues are processed, there are varying preservation time frames, some tissues may be processed and stored for up to five years. The tissue processors use the recovered tissue to create numerous grafts for transplant in procedures such as ACL replacement, coronary artery bypass surgery, skin grafts, some dental procedures and more.
It’s important to remember, this is only a part of the organ and tissue donation and transplantation process. You can read more about the organ donation process and tissue donation process on our website.
At Donor Alliance, our mission is to save and heal lives through organ and tissue donation for transplantation. We’re also here to share the facts surrounding donation, including how organs are transported. If you ever have a question about donation and transplantation, we encourage you to visit our Donation FAQ page or call us at 303-329-4747. You can also visit our registry websites, DonateLifeColorado.org or DonateLifeWyoming.org, to learn more and to sign up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor.
Come out to support organ, eye, and tissue donation as the Air Force Falcons take on the Oregon State Beavers! It’s the perfect opportunity to cheer on our team while raising awareness for a cause that saves and heals lives. Wear your Donate Life gear, bring your friends and family, and help us make a difference on and off the field.