Donation Essentials Blog
What are the Reasons I Should Become an Organ, Eye and Tissue Donor?
Right now, nearly 1,300 people in Colorado and Wyoming are waiting for the call that could save their life, but not enough donors are registered to meet the need. It’s a question many people ask: “Why should I register as an organ donor?” The answer is simple. You can save and heal lives. Just one donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and improve the lives of 75 more through eye and tissue donation. By saying “yes” to donation, you become a hero to those who are desperately hoping for a second chance at life: mothers, fathers, children, neighbors, and friends. 
If you’re hesitating, consider these five important reasons to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor.
5 Reasons YOU Should Become an Organ and Tissue Donor:
- Organ and tissue donation is a powerful, life-changing gift. Organ transplant can significantly improve quality of life, or act as a life-saving intervention for those on the waitlist. Also, it can help families work through the grieving process. Knowing their loved one helped save and heal the lives of others supports many in dealing with their loss.
- One donor can save and heal over 75 lives. The altruistic behavior a registered donor provides when reflected on the lives of others is immeasurable. The impact goes far beyond saving lives. The generosity of a donor also impacts families and communities. One measurable aspect we do know is that one donor can save up to 8 lives through organ donation and save and heal over 75 lives through tissue donation.
- Organ and tissue donation has minimal age, medical, or religious restrictions. Many people think that they will be too old or sick to be a donor when they pass, but that is just not true. There have been tissue donors in our community up to 105 years old. Transplant surgeons evaluate each potential donor, so don’t rule yourself out. Additionally, from nearly all religious and spiritual perspectives, organ, eye and tissue donation is considered an act of charity towards those in need.
- People can die waiting for an organ. There are over 100,000 people on the waitlist for a lifesaving organ transplant in the United States currently. Every day, 13 people on the waitlist will pass away. You have the potential to change others’ lives, solely by taking a few seconds to check ‘Yes’ at the DMV or registering online.
- Our community needs more individuals to register. Colorado and Wyoming lead in donor registrations, but many still need to sign up. By registering, you can save lives in our community.
Every donation has a powerful story behind it. Take Lella from Delta, Colorado, for example. At just two months old, she was added to the transplant waitlist due to a rare liver condition. Five months later, a family’s selfless decision gave her a second chance at life: a new liver. Now a teenager, Lella is passionate about dance, competes in state swimming championships, and cherishes time with friends and family. Her journey inspires many in our community to say “yes” and register as donors. In 2024, Lella came full circle when she got her driver’s license and, for the first time, checked the box to become an organ donor herself. She continues the legacy of hope her donor family gave her.
“We are so thankful for our donor family’s gift,” said Lella’s mother. “Seeing Lella choose to register as a donor fills us with pride and hope to help others.”
Stories like Lella’s remind us that every registration can save and heal lives. You can find her full story here.
Lella, Liver Recipient
Ultimately, registering as an organ, eye and tissue donation allows individuals to have an infinite impact on others. Becoming a registered donor means your legacy will live on forever and will give hope to those who are waiting for a life-saving and healing transplant.
