Earlier this month, we observed World Religion Day, which is a day dedicated to highlighting commonalities among different religions. For those who are religious, understanding how their faith supports organ, eye, and tissue donation can be key to saying “yes” to saving lives. Religious perspectives are often a common concern when people consider donation and transplantation, and learning that many faiths endorse donation can help guide the decision to become a donor after death.
All Major Religions Support Donation
Did you know all major religions in the U.S. support organ, eye and tissue donation? Organ, eye, and tissue donation saves lives and offers hope to those in need. Many religions and spiritual traditions recognize donation, both after death and while living, as an act of kindness, charity, and love. Some consider it the highest expression of compassion for others. Some view donation as the utmost act of love and compassion one can have for their neighbor. Each year, generous organ, eye, and tissue donors save and heal thousands of lives.
Why the Faithful Should Consider Being Organ, Eye and Tissue donors?
Here in our community, there’s nearly 1,300 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, many of whom self-identify as people of faith. Learning about your faith’s stance on donation can guide your decision. If you sign up as an organ, eye, and tissue donor, you can bring hope to those waiting for a lifesaving transplant. Organ donation is the greatest act of charity you can perform. Knowing the facts about donation helps you make an informed decision, rather than letting myths or unknowns influence your decision.
Become Familiar with Your Faith’s Stance on Donation
If you’re hesitant about registering, consider talking with your faith leaders to learn how organ, eye, and tissue donation is viewed in your religion. Discussing your questions can help you understand your faith’s traditions, ceremonies, and how they align with donation. Being informed can give you confidence and peace of mind when deciding to become a donor.
What About Respecting and Caring for the Deceased?
Traditional funeral and burial services are important to all faith communities. Deceased organ donors are always treated with the utmost respect and dignity throughout the entire donation process. If your loved one’s organs are eligible to be donated, a team of specialist surgeons show respect during the recovery process by caring for the donor in a way that still allows a traditional open casket funeral.
Leave a Legacy of Love
Donor Alliance Advocate Volunteer and liver recipient, Phil Workman, spoke about the impact his life-saving transplant, and how that journey ties into his Catholic faith. “For Catholics, there’s no greater gift than sharing your life with another. Organ donation is putting faith into action,” Phil reflected.
While Phil’s experience reflects his Catholic beliefs, the need for donation affects people from all backgrounds and faiths. You have the ability to leave a legacy of love through organ, eye, and tissue donation by saving and healing lives in your community.
We encourage you to learn more about your faith’s stance on organ donation and consider signing up as a donor. You can sign up anytime online at Donate Life Colorado or Donate Life Wyoming. Once you’ve registered, share your decision with your loved ones and others in your faith community.
Micah nació en 2002 con parálisis cerebral y enfrentó muchos desafíos médicos desde el inicio. A pesar de ello, vivió una vida plena y llena de alegría. “Era una gran fuerza; estaba integrado en un salón de clases regular. Contagiaba alegría a los niños con los que convivía. Todo lo que hacía, simplemente amaba la vida”, recuerda Cindy Coker, la mamá de Micah. A Micah le encantaba estar rodeado de gente, reír, la música, la escuela y, sobre todo, ser incluido. Micah y su familia dedicaron su vida a defender a las familias con seres queridos con necesidades especiales y a ayudar a otros niños a recibir la atención que necesitaban. Les mostró a todos a su alrededor lo que significa cuidar de los demás.
Cuando Micah falleció de manera repentina, Cindy y su familia enfrentaron un dolor inimaginable. Decidieron seguir adelante con la donación de órganos, encontrando consuelo en saber que su generosidad podría darle a otras familias más tiempo con sus seres queridos. Cindy recuerda el apoyo del equipo de donación, que los acompañó durante todo el proceso con cuidado y comprensión. “Significó toda una vida de reflexión, terapia y consuelo al saber que hicimos lo correcto”, reflexionó Cindy.
La memoria de Micah se honra a través del evento anual Micah Memorial 3-Man 3-Gun Match, que recauda fondos para Donor Alliance. El deseo de Cindy es que las familias se sientan inspiradas a considerar la donación de órganos, sabiendo la diferencia que puede marcar para salvar y sanar vidas. “Hay cientos de miles de personas que necesitan una donación”, dijo Cindy. “Definitivamente, al 100%, marca la casilla. Estarás salvando innumerables vidas con solo marcar una casilla y llevar ese corazón en tu licencia de conducir.”
Donor Dash Race Results will be uploaded here after the event!
To see race results from a previous year, please select the year:
Tracking your virtual 5K instructions:
Having issues connecting your race to RunKeeper? Please email (support@raceroster.com) or call Race Roster (855-969-5515) directly.
ASICS Runkeeper™ app: Pro Tip: we recommend going to your mobile device’s app store to download the app first. One note: ASICS Runkeeper™ app operates with GPS technology to track your distance. If plan to use a treadmill, we recommend you skip down to option 2 to manually upload your race results.
Here’s how the app works:
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- Step One: From your mobile device, go to www.raceroster.com and login to the account you used to register for Donor Dash. Forgot your password? No problem! Just follow the prompts from the login page to reset your password.
- Step Two: Select “Donor Dash” from “Recent Registrations”. You’ll see your registration confirmation number and a teal button that says “Connect to my app”. Click the button to go to the Virtual Race.
- Step Three: Your mobile device will prompt you to download or open the ASICS Runkeeper™ app from your mobile device app store. Downloading the app is free and no subscription is required to complete the Donor Dash Virtual 5K. If you come to a pop-up screen with paid subscription options, there is an X in the upper right hand corner you can click to close and proceed. You’ll set up an account on the app. Once you’re ready, from the “Start” menu on the bottom, click “Free Run”.
- Step Four: Verify your name and click “Donor Dash”. Please note- if you have registered for other upcoming virtual races through Race Roster, they will also appear here. Result posting will be available as of July 17 starting at 8:00am. You will be prompted “Are you ready to start your Donor Dash Virtual 5K activity?”. Only click “Start Your Race” if you’re ready to complete the 5K. If you’d like to go for a warm-up or practice run to familiarize yourself with the app, we recommend starting the run until you’re ready to make it count.
- Step Five: On your mark, get set, go! Once you finish the run, your results will be automatically e-mailed to you.
| OPTION 2: MANUALLY POST RESULTS
If you plan to record using another software or tracking device and need to post manually, simply head to the results page and “Submit Virtual Result”. Your confirmation number and last name can be used to confirm your registration before submitting your results. Confirmation number: Last name:
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Multiple event distances or participants under one Race Roster account
If you signed up for more than one distance within the same event, or signed up multiple individuals for the same event, please visit your Race Roster dashboard, select this event and then use the “Connect to App” button for each event distance or person. To send to a friend, copy and paste that connect to app button link and share it with them. - Recording your participation with the Runkeeper app
To record your participation with the Runkeeper app, you will need to track your activity using your phone or with a connected wearable. You can follow these step-by-step instructions (with images) on how to track your participation using the ASICS Runkeeper app. - Tracking with your Fitbit, Garmin, or Apple Watch
You can track your participation using your Fitbit, Garmin, or Apple Watch earlier. You must download the Runkeeper app and connect your device prior to starting your activity. Follow these stepsto add your Fitbit, Garmin, or Apple Watch activity to the Runkeeper app. - Ensuring your activity is tracked correctly
Please make sure you run the full distance (to the decimal point) to ensure your result is posted.
Note: If you run farther than the required distance, the Runkeeper app will post your fastest segment. - How to manually post your results on Race Roster
Follow these steps to manually post your results on Race Roster (not using the app). - Limitations
At this time, the Runkeeper app is unable to link to Suunto, Coros or Polar, but you can use your iPhone or Android.
Take a look at photos from the 26th Annual Donor Dash here! If you share your photos, be sure to tag us @DonateLifeColorado and use #DonorDash!
26th Annual Donor Dash Event Photos
We’ve created the following toolkit and resources to help you enjoy and promote the Donor Dash with your friends and family!
Click on the links below to open. If necessary, hit “OK” or double click on the file to open, and select “Save As” to download the files to your personal computer or phone.
- Donation Stats & Facts (Print and distribute these facts to help us raise awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation.)
- Flyer (Print and hang these flyers in high-traffic areas or share the e-version to your friends.)
- Donate Life Logo / Registered Donor Heart
Please email Sammi Magyar at smagyar@donoralliance.org if you need help downloading or using these materials, or if you’d like to request hard copy versions.
