For Aris, a longtime DMV employee, asking people if they want to register as donors is part of his everyday work. But one day, a man walked up to him with a red rose and changed everything. The man told Aris that years ago, he was on a transplant waitlist and that because Aris asked someone to check the box, he got the kidney he needed to survive. That gift meant he’d be spending Christmas with his granddaughter.
That moment stuck with Aris. It reminded him that what might feel like a small interaction could actually mean the world to someone else.
“Not just because of the job I do, but as a human, that moment motivated me to be better, to be kinder, and to think about others,” said Aris. ” I can have the greatest gift, even though I don’t have all the riches I want, but I have time with my son and things I love within my reach.”
Aris and his son Dominic are both registered donors. They’ve talked about what it means to give someone more time with family, time to heal, time to live.
“When my son got his permit, beforehand we talked about it and I explained to him how important it is to be an organ donor,” said Aris.
That conversation left an impact, and Dominic took it to heart.
“To a person that might need a transplant, it’s everything, it’s whether you get to continue living and having experiences, to have time with loved ones and that’s really powerful,” said Dominic.
Stories like Aris’s are a reminder that donation is about more than checking a box, it’s about creating memories with loved ones that last a lifetime.
It’s National Nurses Week!
National Nurses Week, observed each year from May 6 to May 12, honors the vital contributions nurses make to the health and well-being of our communities. In time of uncertainty, nurses have shown to be unwavering beacons of compassion. They’re often the solitary faces of comfort in hospitals when we need it most. Their dedication knows no bounds, working 12-hour shifts and shouldering tasks that may seem insurmountable to many. From the frontlines of patient care in hospitals to the vital role they play in preventive healthcare within doctors’ offices, nurses epitomize the essence of selflessness and care.
Showing Support for Transplant Nurses & Donor Caregivers
Nurses play a big role in the organ and tissue donation process. From providing support to helping families navigate the complexities of organ and tissue donation, their expertise helps Donor Alliance honor a person’s decision to give the gift of life.
Nurses’ tireless efforts also help Donor Alliance ensure a person’s lifesaving and healing gifts are received by transplant centers and tissue processors in a safe and timely manner.
Donor Alliance thanks all nurses for honoring the gift of life each day. Their partnership makes organ and tissue donation possible across Colorado and most of Wyoming.
There are also other unsung heroes: the caregivers. They provide steadfast support to transplant recipients and living donors. They offer solace, advocacy, and love throughout the journey of donation and transplantation. Their strength shows the power of compassion and care.
How You Can Give the Gift of Life
In honor of National Nurses Week, there are ways you can provide support to those waiting for a lifesaving transplant. Currently, there are nearly 1,300 people in Colorado and Wyoming on the waitlist and more than 100,000 people nationally. Say “yes” to registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor the next time you obtain your driver license or state ID. You can also register today at DonateLifeColorado.org or DonateLifeWyoming.org. Once you register, you will receive the little heart with the Y on your license. That little heart has a big impact – one person can save up to eight lives through organ donation and save and heal up to 75 lives through tissue donation.
As we celebrate and express gratitude for nurses and caregivers, let’s remember the essence of their work lies in caring for life. It’s a gift that transcends boundaries and transforms futures for those waiting for a lifesaving and healing transplant.
