Rocky Mountain Strong

Julie lost her son Evan when he was 19 years old and had just finished his sophomore year of college. Evan is remembered for bringing people together and embodying the kind and giving spirit of the Rocky Mountain region.

When Evan died, Julie began a journey she could never have imagined. Evan’s decision to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor was transformed Julie’s journey. Several weeks after Evan’s death, his transplant recipients began reaching out to Julie. Hearing their stories helped her transition from total emotional darkness to a place filled with light and honor. Evan’s recipients told her about their illnesses, the quality of their lives before their transplant, and how they had needed a miracle. Evan was their miracle—a realization that provided comfort to Julie.

After personally witnessing the far-reaching, life-transforming impact of Evan’s decision to say yes to donation, and to honor Evan’s legacy, Julie became a non-directed kidney donor in August 2023. Julie’s non-directed kidney donation started a chain of 10 living donor transplants.

In 2023, the Feinstein family faced the worst moment of their lives. While words can’t describe these tough moments, “be kind” are the words that are echoed. Nick’s family lives by these words after honoring their son’s decision to say yes to the gift of life.

Nick’s parents describe him as talented, smart, thoughtful, funny and genuinely caring. He symbolized Rocky Mountain Strong with an adventurous spirit. He spent as much time as possible skiing, mountain climbing, fishing and exploring. Nick climbed 25 of Colorado’s 14ers and planned to tackle them all.

The importance of registering to be an organ and tissue donor was a topic the Feinsteins wouldn’t shy away from discussing as a family. Andy Feinstein, Nick’s father, experienced the impact of these lifesaving and healing gifts as a tissue recipient.

“Donation is something we instilled in our children,” said Andy Feinstein. “Nick was adamant about being an organ and tissue donor.”

While on a ski trip, Nick died in an avalanche. He was only 22 years old. Following Nick’s passing, his family learned he was able to donate bone, soft tissue, and skin grafts. To date, there are 56 recipients of his lifesaving and healing gifts.

“I know if Nick were alive today he would be happy he was able to make 56 people’s lives better, in whatever capacity,” said Andy. “It makes us very happy to know he’s helped so many others.”

Tanner’s Rocky Mountain roots ran deep in his community. He loved spending time with his family, cheering on his favorite Colorado sports teams, and had a thirst for travel and adventure. Tanner may have been best known for his baseball skills, but he is remembered for his tremendously big heart. He was passionate about advocating for organ, eye and tissue donation, cared for people experiencing homelessness, and had a soft spot for rescue animals.

After passing away in a tragic car crash in 2016, Tanner’s legacy of helping others continued through donation. He saved the lives of two people through kidney donation and saved and healed more than 120 people through his tissue gifts.

In January 2023, Tanner was honored with a floragraph on the 2023 Donate Life Rose Parade float in Pasadena, California and represented Colorado and Wyoming on a national stage. His mother, Allison Vogel, shared his story to continue spreading awareness of the importance of donation and transplantation. To Tanner’s family, knowing how much he’s helped others through his lifesaving and healing gifts has given them strength.

We are proud to recognize and celebrate the remarkable success stories that emerge from our vital mission. Among the countless tales, we are honored to highlight an inspiring story of an individual who directly embodies what we mean when we say “Rocky Mountain Strong.” Andrea Ogg of Sedalia was faced with physical challenges and setbacks her whole life because of a heart condition she didn’t know she had until she was in her mid-30s. By the time she was in her 50s, she struggled to even walk across her living room without stopping to take a breath. She was on a defibrillator and in end-stage heart failure.

Because of the generous gift of a donor, Andrea received a heart transplant that allowed her to make up for lost time. She made a promise to her donor and “their” heart to do all the things that had felt out of reach for so long. Andrea went from the inability to walk across her house, to hiking more than 500 miles in the high country of the Rocky Mountains. She also was able to sing and dance on stage in musicals. In 2023, Andrea crossed the finish line of the world’s highest half-marathon wearing a sign to honor her donor for her five-year-”heart-aversary.”

Andrea’s dedication to sharing her story and raising awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation has been profound, inspiring others to embrace life's challenges with courage and determination.