In 2024, the power of saying YES to organ, eye and tissue donation drove meaningful change across the Rocky Mountain region. It sparked acts of generosity that strengthened our communities and made a tangible impact on countless lives. Each decision to give—whether through registering to donate, support, or action—built momentum that moved us forward in profound ways. This simple word represents the countless moments of courage, compassion, and hope that continue to drive our mission and define our success.

This year, we have immense gratitude for the generosity of 311 organ donors, a record 947 lifesaving organ transplants, and 1,860 tissue donors who said YES to the gift of life. These donations resulted in a 3.2% increase in organ transplants over the last year. We also saw a 9.2% increase in tissue donations, which will save and heal hundreds of thousands of patients in need. Behind every transplant was a registered donor or family whose heroic decision to say YES saved lives, even in the face of unimaginable loss.

The power of YES extended far and wide with dedicated partners and communities rallying around the cause of organ and tissue donation. This year, Donor Alliance participated in over 120 community events, with the continued support of passionate advocates who helped spread the word year-round in their communities. We celebrated 25 years of the Donor Dash, our flagship event, which brought together more than 5,000 participants for a powerful run/walk honoring donors, celebrating recipients, and raising awareness. Each event, big or small, played a critical role in advancing the mission and expanding the reach of our cause.

Innovation continues to make a real difference in the lives we can save through donation. This year, Donor Alliance embraced new life-honoring techniques like Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP) to improve organ preservation. These advancements mean more transplants can happen—and more lives can be saved.

Additionally, through a new partnership between Donor Alliance and Ossium Health, bone marrow can now be recovered from organ and tissue donors, offering new hope to more patients in need. Previously, bone marrow transplants relied solely on living donors joining the bone marrow registry. These innovations reflect a deep commitment to maximizing the impact of every donation.

Donor Alliance also played a key role in advancing the science of donation through our partnership with national research initiatives. This year, we supported 17 groundbreaking studies, including major NIH-funded projects, to honor the gift of life while improving organ and tissue transplantation outcomes and expanding the impact of donation. These studies address critical areas like developing therapies for lumbar disc degeneration and lung disease, exploring treatments for type 1 diabetes, and improving methods for preserving and storing organs to help even more people.

Donor Alliance extends its immense gratitude to our heroic donors, their families, and the communities championing this cause. Every YES echoes far beyond the moment it is spoken, creating ripples of hope, connection, and healing. Together, we will continue to turn hope into reality, one registered donor at a time