LAKEWOOD, Monday, April 10, 2023 — In celebration of the generosity of Coloradan donors and honoring those awaiting a lifesaving transplant, the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles and Donate Life Colorado hoisted a flag Monday, April 10 at the DMV’s main office in Lakewood.
Flag-raising ceremonies commemorating National Donate Life Month began with various hospitals throughout the U.S. National Donate Life Month is a month-long celebration in April which honors the generosity of organ, eye and tissue donors and their families, and commemorates all transplant recipients and those still waiting for a lifesaving transplant.
When obtaining or renewing a license or ID at the DMV, Coloradans are asked if they would like to save a life by registering to be an organ, eye and tissue donor. The question helps save hundreds of lives each year by signing up selfless Coloradans on the Donate Life Colorado organ, eye and tissue donor registry. The registry is key to Donate Life Colorado and its mission to save and heal lives.
“It may seem like a simple question at the DMV — would you like to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor — but your answer can mean a new lease on life for someone else,” DMV Senior Director Electra Bustle said. “Donate Life Colorado is a tremendous partner and we are proud of the role we play in our mutual missions of saving lives. This flag-raising event represents our commitment to organ, eye and tissue donation and celebrates this life saving program.”
The DMV works hand-in-hand with Donate Life Colorado to save lives by registering donors, sharing donation information and resources, as well as taking donations for the Emily Keyes — John W. Buckner Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Fund at DMV offices throughout the state.
While this has been a long-standing tradition with hospitals, the Colorado DMV is one of only a handful of state motor vehicle divisions across the country to host a Donate Life flag-raising event.
“We are honored to join our partners at the Colorado DMV again this year as they help us shine a light on the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation in recognition of National Donate Life Month,” said Jennifer Prinz, President and CEO of Donor Alliance, the federally designated nonprofit that facilitates organ and tissue donation in Colorado and most of Wyoming. “These flag raising ceremonies have become a symbol of our hope for those awaiting lifesaving and healing transplants and remembrance of those who have made the generous decision to save others through organ, eye and tissue donation. The kindness of 278 organ donors in our communities last year made possible 829 life saving transplants for patients in need.”
In 2022, 66% of Coloradans said yes to joining the Donate Life Colorado Organ and Tissue Donor Registry when getting their driver license or I.D. card. The national average is 51%.
Colorado continues to be one of the most generous states in the U.S. when it comes to donation and Donor Alliance recorded another remarkable year for organ and tissue donation and transplantation. The organization also worked with 1,911 tissue donors and their families to recover the lifesaving and healing tissue that will provide tissue such as bone and skin grafts to thousands of recipients in need.
Despite the progress that has been made, there are still around 1,500 people in Colorado on the transplant waiting list. Saying Yes when obtaining or renewing a driver license or state ID supports the mission to save the lives of our neighbors through organ, eye and tissue donation. Learn more at DonateLifeColorado.org.
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The DMV is committed to providing services for all Coloradans where they are needed most, whether it’s in-office, online or on the go. Visit DMV.Colorado.gov/Anywhere to find out how you can DMV anywhere. Yes, anywhere.
