When Jeremy Mares applied for a driver’s license at 16, he registered to be an organ and tissue donor, thinking that he might one day be able to save someone’s life, he said.

Your organs or tissues can help save someone’s life. A flag raising ceremony was held at UCHealth Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs to recognize that April is National Donate Life Month.

Julie Speer said her teenage son’s decision to register as an organ donor gave life to four people after his death.

The beginning of April marks the beginning of Donate Life Month. It’s a chance to recognize the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation. On Wednesday, outside of HCA HealthONE Presbyterian St. Luke’s, they raised a flag in recognition of the month.

It’s the start of National Donate Life Month, which means across Colorado and Wyoming, a blue and green flag rises above hospitals, schools, city halls and community spaces.

Flag raisings mark the start of a month dedicated to honoring donors, celebrating transplant recipients and recognizing those who continue to wait for a lifesaving transplant. They’re moments to take a pause from our lives and reflect on the impact of organ, eye and tissue donation.

Donate Life Flag Raising at UCHealth celebrating National Donate Life Month 2026

We’ll take a closer look at what a Donate Life flag represents, why these ceremonies are held, and how you can keep that spirit of generosity going long after the flag is raised.

What is a Donate Life flag raising ceremony and what does it mean?

If you’ve never attended a Donate Life flag raising, or if you’ve driven by a local hospital in April and noticed a blue and green flag flying, you might have wondered what it represents.

Every year, hospitals across the country raise Donate Life flags as part of National Donate Life Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness about organ, eye, and tissue donation and honoring those who have given the gift of life. Since 2006, these flags have become a powerful symbol of unity, hope, and remembrance for everyone touched by donation and transplantation.

Flag raisings are different everywhere you go; some are small and intimate, while others fill a courtyard with speeches and crowds. But the meaning never changes. The ceremony honors donors, celebrates recipients, and reminds all of us that life is fragile and precious.

Hospitals, schools, and community spaces in our region have already started hosting flag raising ceremonies. To find an event near you, check out our event calendar. No matter the location or the crowd, every flag raising ceremony is a time to honor generosity and remember the difference one person can make. As we move on to the second week of National Donate Life month, even more hospitals, schools, and city halls across our region will participate in a flag raising ceremony.  Find one near you on our event calendar, watch the flag rise, and remember why it matters.

What Does the Donate Life Flag Represent?

Since 2006, Donate Life flags have served as a nationwide display of unity, remembrance and hope. They are a symbol to honor heroic organ, eye, and tissue donors.

While Donate Life flag raising ceremonies are often held in April for National Donate Life Month, the Donate Life flag can actually fly all year long.

In Colorado, many hospitals fly the flag every time someone has given the gift of life through organ, eye and tissue donation. Flying that flag is a small yet powerful way to honor selfless donors and their families.

What Can You Do to Show Your Support?

Now that you know what the Donate Life flag represents and why flag raising ceremonies take place in Colorado and Wyoming, we encourage you to keep an eye out for the Donate Life flag when you drive by a local hospital. Some even hold a small moment of silent reverence for donors and their families whenever they see the Donate Life flag flying high.

This April, be sure to #ShineALight in honor of National Donate Life month. Getting involved is easy! We invite you to request a free #ShineALight kit. The kit includes a battery-operated candle and a “I Shine A Light For…” sign. Use a bold marker to write the name of the person you are honoring this April. Then, place the battery-operated candle and sign in your window or on your desk throughout the month to show your support.

There are several events taking place this month to participate in, including the Annual Blue & Green Lighting Ceremony at Sculpture Park on April 9th. Beyond that event, there are dozens of flag raisings, proclamations, and other community observances taking place.

Join the celebration this year by signing up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at Donate Life Colorado or Donate Life Wyoming. Then checkout all the other ways you can celebrate National Donate Life Month with us.

UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central recognized record-breaking organ and tissue donation levels on Wednesday, April 1, reporting the highest volume of donations in Colorado and Wyoming during the recent reporting period.

Los seres queridos de Katie Hankins, cariñosamente conocida como “Katie Bug”, la recuerdan como un alma amable y vibrante, siempre irradiando amor y alegría. Tras su fallecimiento en mayo de 2025, se convirtió en donante de órganos, salvando y sanando muchas vidas. La familia de Katie la describe como una bailarina llena de energía cuya risa llenaba cada habitación que pisaba. Los seres queridos de Katie tuvieron la oportunidad de conocer a Ezequiel Espino, el hombre que recibió su corazón y que hoy vive gracias a su generosidad. Ambas familias se reunieron para honrar el legado de Katie y celebrar la vida que ayudó a salvar. “Voy a trabajar muy duro para que este corazón siga funcionando”, dijo Ezequiel. “Es un honor tenerlos como una segunda familia.”

Donor Alliance está apoyando al Mexican Cultural Center mientras celebramos el Día del Niño junto con el Denver Museum of Nature & Science y el Mexican Cultural Center el domingo 26 de abril. ¡Nuestro personal, educadores de Transplantation Science y voluntarios tendrán un stand con divertidas actividades educativas! Además de la entrada general GRATUITA para todos los visitantes, la celebración incluirá presentaciones especiales, música y actividades para toda la familia.

Abril es el Mes Nacional de Done Vida, una conmemoración nacional que destaca la importancia de la donación de órganos, ojos y tejidos. Las proclamaciones generan conciencia sobre lo que significa ser donante de órganos y resaltan la colaboración entre Donor Alliance y nuestra comunidad del condado de Eagle. Este evento se llevará a cabo en colaboración con la Chris Klug Foundation.

Abril es el Mes Nacional de Done Vida, una conmemoración nacional que destaca la importancia de la donación de órganos, ojos y tejidos. Las ceremonias de izamiento de la bandera generan conciencia sobre lo que significa ser donante de órganos y resaltan la colaboración entre Donor Alliance y CommonSpirit St. Francis. El asta de la bandera se encuentra en el patio adjunto a la cafetería.

Abril es el Mes Nacional de Done Vida, una conmemoración nacional que destaca la importancia de la donación de órganos, ojos y tejidos. Las ceremonias de izamiento de la bandera generan conciencia sobre lo que significa ser donante de órganos y resaltan la colaboración entre Donor Alliance y Good Samaritan Hospital. El evento se llevará a cabo junto a la bandera cerca de la entrada principal del hospital.