Join us to show our gratitude for our partners at the DMV and to launch “Check the Box” in the offices.

As part of a refreshed brand, Donor Alliance has introduced a new visual identity with these DMV materials, anchored in the phrase “Rocky Mountain Strong.” Bigger than a tagline, Rocky Mountain Strong reflects the strength, compassion, and resilience of the Colorado and Wyoming communities that make life-saving organ, eye, and tissue donation possible. With an earthy palette and grounded imagery inspired by the region, this brand refresh conveys warmth, trust, and connection, elevating Donor Alliance’s mission to save and heal lives while honoring the people and partnerships that power it.

Words are powerful. How certain words or terms are used can have a significant impact, especially when it comes to organ, eye and tissue donation. Language shapes how we view organ, eye and tissue donation. It helps correct myths and honors those who give the gift of life.

The list below provides guidelines around which organ donation terms to avoid and the most appropriate terminology to use instead. Avoiding certain terms and phrases can both reduce concern among donor families and help to increase public understanding and acceptance of the donation process.

Use the terms Recover or Procure instead of Harvest, and Donated Organs and Tissues instead of Body Parts

Some organ donation terms are used in medicine but can feel disrespectful to donor families. Words like “harvest” can sound cold or dehumanizing. Instead, use “recover,” “procure,” or “donated organs and tissues.” These terms show that donation is handled with care and respect for every donor and family.

Deceased Donor or Deceased Donation instead of Cadaver or Cadaveric Donation

Similar to the terms above, while “cadaver” has long been accepted medically, it is important to use terminology that is considerate of donor families and conveys to the public the respect and care that donors are treated with throughout the entire process. Additionally, while there didn’t used to be a need to make a distinction between living and deceased donation, more and more people are making the life-saving decision to become a living donor. Using the terms “deceased donor” and “deceased donation” help to make a clear distinction between living and deceased donors.

Ventilator Support or Mechanical Support instead of Life Support

Death can happen in two ways: cardiac death, when the heart stops beating, and brain death, the irreversible loss of all brain function. The term “life support” can be confusing, especially in cases of brain death. Brain death is final, it’s not a coma or vegetative state. No form of support can reverse it. When brain death is declared, organ, eye and tissue donation may still be possible. In these cases, “mechanical support” keeps blood and oxygen flowing to preserve organs and tissues for donation.

Donation is a Decision not a Wish

Signing up as an organ, eye and tissue donor is a first-person authorized decision. It means you’ve chosen to donate at the time of your death. Using the word “wish” instead of “decision” can make it sound like your choice isn’t final. But your decision to be a donor cannot be changed by your family. That’s why it’s so important to share your decision and talk with your loved ones about helping others through donation.

Learn more and sign up to become a donor anytime online at Donate Life Colorado or Donate Life Wyoming.

When Connor’s mom took her three-month-old son to the doctor for a cold, she learned that Connor had a condition called cardiomyopathy, a deadly heart disease that could only be remedied by a heart transplant. Connor spent nine weeks on the waiting list and received a transplant on Mother’s Day in 1992.

Ten years passed and Connor’s body started to reject the heart. He was placed back on the waiting list and more than a year later, Connor received his second heart transplant on July 18, 2005.

Connor thanks Donor Alliance for helping to improve the number of donors.

“If it weren’t for their work, I and many other recipients I know might not be alive,” he said.

About his family, Connor relates, “We didn’t always have that future to look forward to—but now, we do. And it’s a big deal.”

Join us to show our gratitude for our partners at the DMV and to launch “Check the Box” in the offices.

As part of a refreshed brand, Donor Alliance has introduced a new visual identity with these DMV materials, anchored in the phrase “Rocky Mountain Strong.” Bigger than a tagline, Rocky Mountain Strong reflects the strength, compassion, and resilience of the Colorado and Wyoming communities that make life-saving organ, eye, and tissue donation possible. With an earthy palette and grounded imagery inspired by the region, this brand refresh conveys warmth, trust, and connection, elevating Donor Alliance’s mission to save and heal lives while honoring the people and partnerships that power it.

When Connor’s mom took her three-month-old son to the doctor for a cold, she learned that Connor had a condition called cardiomyopathy, a deadly heart disease that could only be remedied by a heart transplant. Connor spent nine weeks on the waiting list and received a transplant on Mother’s Day in 1992.

Ten years passed and Connor’s body started to reject the heart. He was placed back on the waiting list and more than a year later, Connor received his second heart transplant on July 18, 2005.

Connor thanks Donor Alliance for helping to improve the number of donors.

“If it weren’t for their work, I and many other recipients I know might not be alive,” he said.

About his family, Connor relates, “We didn’t always have that future to look forward to—but now, we do. And it’s a big deal.”

Join us to show our gratitude for our partners at the DMV and to launch “Check the Box” in the offices.

As part of a refreshed brand, Donor Alliance has introduced a new visual identity with these DMV materials, anchored in the phrase “Rocky Mountain Strong.” Bigger than a tagline, Rocky Mountain Strong reflects the strength, compassion, and resilience of the Colorado and Wyoming communities that make life-saving organ, eye, and tissue donation possible. With an earthy palette and grounded imagery inspired by the region, this brand refresh conveys warmth, trust, and connection, elevating Donor Alliance’s mission to save and heal lives while honoring the people and partnerships that power it.

When Connor’s mom took her three-month-old son to the doctor for a cold, she learned that Connor had a condition called cardiomyopathy, a deadly heart disease that could only be remedied by a heart transplant. Connor spent nine weeks on the waiting list and received a transplant on Mother’s Day in 1992.

Ten years passed and Connor’s body started to reject the heart. He was placed back on the waiting list and more than a year later, Connor received his second heart transplant on July 18, 2005.

Connor thanks Donor Alliance for helping to improve the number of donors.

“If it weren’t for their work, I and many other recipients I know might not be alive,” he said.

About his family, Connor relates, “We didn’t always have that future to look forward to—but now, we do. And it’s a big deal.”

Words are powerful. How certain words or terms are used can have a significant impact, especially when it comes to organ, eye and tissue donation. Language shapes how we view organ, eye and tissue donation. It helps correct myths and honors those who give the gift of life.

The list below provides guidelines around which organ donation terms to avoid and the most appropriate terminology to use instead. Avoiding certain terms and phrases can both reduce concern among donor families and help to increase public understanding and acceptance of the donation process.

Use the terms Recover or Procure instead of Harvest, and Donated Organs and Tissues instead of Body Parts

Some organ donation terms are used in medicine but can feel disrespectful to donor families. Words like “harvest” can sound cold or dehumanizing. Instead, use “recover,” “procure,” or “donated organs and tissues.” These terms show that donation is handled with care and respect for every donor and family.

Deceased Donor or Deceased Donation instead of Cadaver or Cadaveric Donation

Similar to the terms above, while “cadaver” has long been accepted medically, it is important to use terminology that is considerate of donor families and conveys to the public the respect and care that donors are treated with throughout the entire process. Additionally, while there didn’t used to be a need to make a distinction between living and deceased donation, more and more people are making the life-saving decision to become a living donor. Using the terms “deceased donor” and “deceased donation” help to make a clear distinction between living and deceased donors.

Ventilator Support or Mechanical Support instead of Life Support

Death can happen in two ways: cardiac death, when the heart stops beating, and brain death, the irreversible loss of all brain function. The term “life support” can be confusing, especially in cases of brain death. Brain death is final, it’s not a coma or vegetative state. No form of support can reverse it. When brain death is declared, organ, eye and tissue donation may still be possible. In these cases, “mechanical support” keeps blood and oxygen flowing to preserve organs and tissues for donation.

Donation is a Decision not a Wish

Signing up as an organ, eye and tissue donor is a first-person authorized decision. It means you’ve chosen to donate at the time of your death. Using the word “wish” instead of “decision” can make it sound like your choice isn’t final. But your decision to be a donor cannot be changed by your family. That’s why it’s so important to share your decision and talk with your loved ones about helping others through donation.

Learn more and sign up to become a donor anytime online at Donate Life Colorado or Donate Life Wyoming.

Words are powerful. How certain words or terms are used can have a significant impact, especially when it comes to organ, eye and tissue donation. Language shapes how we view organ, eye and tissue donation. It helps correct myths and honors those who give the gift of life.

The list below provides guidelines around which organ donation terms to avoid and the most appropriate terminology to use instead. Avoiding certain terms and phrases can both reduce concern among donor families and help to increase public understanding and acceptance of the donation process.

Use the terms Recover or Procure instead of Harvest, and Donated Organs and Tissues instead of Body Parts

Some organ donation terms are used in medicine but can feel disrespectful to donor families. Words like “harvest” can sound cold or dehumanizing. Instead, use “recover,” “procure,” or “donated organs and tissues.” These terms show that donation is handled with care and respect for every donor and family.

Deceased Donor or Deceased Donation instead of Cadaver or Cadaveric Donation

Similar to the terms above, while “cadaver” has long been accepted medically, it is important to use terminology that is considerate of donor families and conveys to the public the respect and care that donors are treated with throughout the entire process. Additionally, while there didn’t used to be a need to make a distinction between living and deceased donation, more and more people are making the life-saving decision to become a living donor. Using the terms “deceased donor” and “deceased donation” help to make a clear distinction between living and deceased donors.

Ventilator Support or Mechanical Support instead of Life Support

Death can happen in two ways: cardiac death, when the heart stops beating, and brain death, the irreversible loss of all brain function. The term “life support” can be confusing, especially in cases of brain death. Brain death is final, it’s not a coma or vegetative state. No form of support can reverse it. When brain death is declared, organ, eye and tissue donation may still be possible. In these cases, “mechanical support” keeps blood and oxygen flowing to preserve organs and tissues for donation.

Donation is a Decision not a Wish

Signing up as an organ, eye and tissue donor is a first-person authorized decision. It means you’ve chosen to donate at the time of your death. Using the word “wish” instead of “decision” can make it sound like your choice isn’t final. But your decision to be a donor cannot be changed by your family. That’s why it’s so important to share your decision and talk with your loved ones about helping others through donation.

Learn more and sign up to become a donor anytime online at Donate Life Colorado or Donate Life Wyoming.