News and Media Relations
Monument mom honors daughter and lifesaving cause at 2016 Rose Parade – The Gazette, Colorado Springs, CO
Mark and Gail Gallagher’s 26-year-old daughter, Kate, was on the transplant list awaiting a donor liver when she suffered the cerebral hemorrhage that ended her life in March 2012. Despite the fact that Kate had liver disease and was on the waiting list herself, she saved three lives through the donation of both kidneys and her heart, which went to a 12-year-old girl. For her parents, continuing to share Kate’s story in the years after her death is about more than keeping memories alive.
Woman on organ transplant waitlist list becomes donor herself – 9News, Denver, CO
Organ donation is a sensitive subject. The end of someone’s life becomes a new beginning for someone else. Gail Gallagher didn’t think her daughter would be one of those people. Her daughter, Kate, suffered from a rare disease and needed a liver. She was originally put on the transplant list to receive the organ. However, she ended up being the organ donor herself.
Fort Collins woman sees brother give life in death – Coloradoan, Fort Collins, CO
Melanie Anderson knows her brother Dirk’s death in a 2013 car accident has enabled a young boy to see. She knows that a firefighter received a skin graft and several cancer patients have received bone marrow — all because her brother was an organ donor.
Transplant patient shares ‘miracle story’ – Englewood Herald, Englewood, CO
Wes Cook recalls vividly a motorcycle ride he took three years ago. It was to be his last. Cook, a Parker resident for 12 years, was also planning to get rid of his skis, because he was almost certain he would never use them again. Meanwhile, he was compiling notes in a book for his wife filled with details about finances and how to winterize the house.
Colorado mother meets late daughter’s kidney recipient – NBC 11 News, Grand Junction
Kate Gallagher’s kindness and compassion now live on through others. Her heart was transplanted into a 12-year-old in Denver and one of her kidneys was given to a woman in her 60’s outside Colorado. Her other kidney went to Tony Lobato of Nucla. For six years, he needed a new kidney.
Tony Lobato meets mother of kidney donor – Norwood Post, Nucla
West End Schools District Board of Education President William “Tony” Lobato will this week meet the mother of his kidney donor. Lobato, 62, said he waited six and a half years on the transplant wait list.
Donor Mother Meets Organ Recipient – Fox 4, Grand Junction
Gail Gallagher’s daughter Kate was placed on a waiting list for a liver transplant in 2009 after being diagnosed with a rare clotting disease. Kate never received a liver before passing away, but she did become a donor. Gallagher is passionate about organ donation and on Thursday met the recipient of her daughter’s kidney, William “Tony” Labato for the first time.
The gift that keeps on giving – Colorado Springs Independent
Bob Campbell of the Colorado Springs Independent talks to people on the street about their thoughts on organ, eye and tissue donation.
Semana Nacional de la Donacion – La Prensa, Denver
La Prensa news sits down with Vinny Castilla and Donor Alliance to talk about organ, eye and tissue donation and National Minority Donor Awareness Week.
My Name Is: Molly Halpin – Lakewood Sentinel
Donor Alliance Advocate Molly Halpin talks about a friend’s gift of life and how it changed her forever.
Donor Dash and Jose’s story – 7 News, Denver
Eric Lupher of 7 News speaks with Andrea Smith of Donor Alliance and Jose Amezola Beltran about the 2015 Donor Dash and Jose’s decision to donate his kidney to a stranger.
Donor Alliance, Donor Dash and Gabriel’s story – Colorado and Company, KUSA
Denise Plante of Colorado and Company sits down with Andrea Smith of Donor Alliance and Lisa and Gabriel Vallejos to talk about Gabriel’s story and the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation.