In the Community
Across Colorado and Wyoming, Donor Alliance's community impact extends far beyond clinical settings through meaningful events and partnerships that inspire hope and celebrate the gift of life. Our signature Donor Dash events, Donor Family Tributes, and collaborations with local organizations strengthen our donation community and help us reach new audiences with our lifesaving message.
Celebrating 25 Years of Life at the Donor Dash
Thomas Williams' Heartfelt Journey
Donor Alliance’s first-ever Donor Dash took place on a chilly New Year’s Day in 2000, winding through the streets of LoDo, in Denver, Colo. Fast forward to 2024, and more than 5,000 people gathered at Denver’s Washington Park to keep the tradition alive—25 years later. This annual event is more than just a 5K; it’s a powerful tribute to the heroic donors and families who have given the gift of life, a celebration alongside transplant recipients, and a moment to recognize the nearly 1,300 people in our region still waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant.
For Thomas Williams and his family, the 2024 Donor Dash carried an extra special meaning. Born in Colorado Springs, Thomas was marking his 25th “heart-iversary” at the event. His journey began just days after birth when he was diagnosed with multiple life-threatening heart defects. At just six months old—after 65 days on the transplant waitlist—he received the gift that changed everything: a new heart.
Thomas last attended the Donor Dash when he was only four years old to honor his heroic donor and their family and to celebrate his lifesaving gift. With the 25th anniversary of his transplant aligning perfectly with the 25th annual Donor Dash, it was apropos to celebrate this incredible milestone. Thanks to his heroic donor and their family, Thomas has lived to the fullest— fulfilling his dream of becoming a college baseball pitcher.
And the celebrations didn’t stop there. The day after Donor Dash, Thomas stepped onto the mound at Coors Field, making another lifelong dream come true—throwing out the first pitch at a Colorado Rockies game.
For Thomas and so many others, the Donor Dash is more than a 5K—it’s a symbol of hope, resilience, and gratitude. Every step tells a story, honoring those who have given the ultimate gift and bringing together a community forever connected by the power of organ and tissue donation.
Donor Dash Brings Wyomingites Together to Celebrate the Gift of Life
Donor Alliance’s deep roots in the Wyoming community helped unite more than 330 people at the Tate Pumphouse in Casper on a crisp Saturday in April. It was a record-breaking turnout for the 2024 Wyoming Donor Dash—an annual 5K run/walk supported by Banner Wyoming Medical Center and Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank. Held each year during National Donate Life Month, the event raises awareness about the power of organ and tissue donation and the impact of coming together as a community to save and heal lives.
Among those sharing their stories were Cary Galvin and Jason Wynia, both from Casper. Cary spoke about her younger brother who tragically passed away and saved five lives through the donation of his lungs, heart, and kidneys. Jason, on the other hand, knows firsthand what it means to be on the receiving end—after a severe case of pneumonia led to congestive heart failure, a heroic donor gave him a second chance with a new heart.
The Wyoming Donor Dash is a testament to the generosity and compassion of Wyomingites, demonstrating their commitment to checking the box and saying YES to organ and tissue donation. It makes a life-changing difference for those in need.
Colorado and Wyoming Donor Family Tributes
The Donor Family Tribute is a heartfelt celebration of life, honoring and Healing loved ones who have given the ultimate gift through organ and tissue donation, while expressing deep gratitude to their families. Held annually in Colorado and biannually in Wyoming, this touching event is filled with warmth, reflection, and heartfelt remembrance.
At the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, Colo., 137 heroic Coloradans were honored. As each donor’s name was read, a candle was lit by their family, casting a warm glow in tribute to their enduring legacy. Inspiring stories of hope were shared by others in the community whose lives have also been deeply impacted by this cause.
At The Lyric, in Casper, 20 donors were remembered for their lifesaving and healing gifts. Wyomingites shared powerful stories about their connection to the cause. In a moving gesture of love and devotion, families placed a carnation on their loved one’s photo as their name was read—a poignant symbol of their lasting impact.
Donate Life Night with the Casper Spuds
In June, Donor Alliance partnered with the Casper Spuds baseball team to host “Donate Life Night” at Mike Lansing Field in Casper. This special event combined community spirit with a powerful message, raising awareness about the lifesaving impact of organ and tissue donation in a fun and engaging way.
As a token of appreciation, fans who were registered organ and tissue donors received free admission simply by showing the heart on their driver license at the box office. The evening brought together families, friends, and advocates from across the community to celebrate the gift of life and bring awareness to the urgent need for those still waiting for a lifesaving transplant.
Donor Alliance Awards Colorado Springs Driver License Employee
Registering as an organ and tissue donor is crucial for Donor Alliance to fulfill their mission to save and heal lives. In Colorado, most donor registrations are processed through driver license offices, or the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), making their role in the donation process essential. To recognize the dedication of these offices, and their staff, Donor Alliance presented its 2024 DMV Appreciation Award to Rosie Gum of the Colorado Springs State Driver License Office. Each year, this award honors a DMV team member who goes above and beyond to inspire individuals to become a donor, and fosters a culture of donation within their office. Rosie’s commitment to the cause exemplifies the spirit of lifesaving generosity
Donate Life Specialty Plate Inspires Wyomingites to Save & Heal Lives
A Uinta County father and son’s diligence to raise awareness around organ and tissue donation can now be seen on vehicles across Wyoming. Thanks to the dedication of Bryson and Eric Quinney, in 2024 Donor Alliance was proud to announce the launch of a new Donate Life Wyoming specialty license plate. This marked a huge milestone in raising awareness about organ and tissue donation across the state. For the Quinney family, this mission is deeply personal. For Bryson, a heart transplant recipient, and his father, Eric, it was a long road to getting the specialty plate on the road. It took years of advocacy, including Bryson’s heartfelt testimony before the Wyoming legislature and the support of key champions like Senator Wendy Schuler. Their persistence led to the bill’s passage in 2023, and by 2024, Wyoming drivers could officially display their support for donation.
More than just a plate, it’s a statement. It sparks conversations, inspires action, and reminds people of the life-changing impact of checking the box and saying YES to organ, eye and tissue donation. Since its release, more than 100 plates have been issued, each one representing a pledge to save and heal lives. As more plates make their way across Wyoming, the Quinney family’s vision of spreading awareness and education is becoming a reality—one license plate at a time.
Take Jake Foundation and Donor Alliance Raise Awareness for Organ & Tissue Donation
Judy Thompson of Thornton, Colo., faced an unimaginable loss in 2009 when her son, Jake, passed away after a car crash. In the midst of her grief, she made a decision that reflected Jake’s compassionate spirit—she made the decision for him to give the gift of life. Because of that choice, Jake was able to save six lives through organ donation. Beyond his kindness, Jake had a passion for travel. Wanting to keep his adventurous spirit alive, Judy’s friends started taking wallet-sized photos of Jake on their international trips, bringing her moments of joy and laughter—just as Jake always had. That simple act of love inspired the creation of the “Take Jake” Foundation, a way to honor his life and legacy.
In 2024, Donor Alliance teamed up with Judy to spread the message that organ and tissue donation saves lives at the Take Jake Car and Bike Show—an event that not only celebrates Jake’s love for cars but also encourages people to say YES to donation. Events like these are powerful reminders of how one heroic decision can change countless lives. Through the Take Jake Foundation, Judy continues to support donor families and raise awareness, ensuring that Jake’s legacy lives on—not just in the lives he saved, but also in the inspiration he continues to bring to others.
National Donate Life Month
Communities Say YES to Hope and Healing
April’s National Donate Life Month was a huge success across Colorado and Wyoming in 2024, with communities from both states joining together to raise awareness that registering as an organ and tissue donor saves lives. Donor Alliance coordinated more than 70 events and activations throughout the month, creating meaningful engagement focused on honoring heroic donors and their families while creating awareness about the importance of donation.
Support poured in from all corners throughout Colorado and Wyoming. Cities and towns issued proclamations declaring April as “Donate Life Month,” while iconic landmarks were illuminated in blue and green—the colors of Donate Life America—shining a light on the need for organ and tissue donation and individuals still awaiting a lifesaving and healing transplant. Donor Alliance launched the “Shine A Light” campaign, encouraging Coloradans and Wyomingites to get involved by illuminating a candle and placing it in their window as a tribute to organ and tissue donors and the lives they’ve touched.
One of the most moving traditions of National Donate Life Month are Donate Life Flag-raisings and Flag-raising ceremonies. Whenever a donation occurs, a Donate Flag is flown for 24 hours at hospital to honor a donor’s gift of life. Throughout April, flags flew high across both states, symbolizing unity, hope, and remembrance. Many community partners held flag-raising ceremonies, including the Guatemalan Consulate of Denver, UC Health, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Presbyterian St. Luke’s, AdventHealth Porter Hospital, and Banner Wyoming Medical Center in Casper.
The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles also held Flag-raisings at driver license offices in April. Because nearly 99% of donor registrations are made at these offices, many were adorned with blue and green Donate Life decorations. The decorations created a welcoming atmosphere that inspired individuals to get the little heart on their driver license, thus joining the Donate Life Colorado and Donate Life Wyoming registries.
For the first time during National Donate Life Month, Donor Alliance executive leaders met with Colorado lawmakers at the State Capitol. Donor Alliance hosted a breakfast, sparking meaningful conversations about the importance of registering to be an organ and tissue donor, and that more registered donors are still needed. This meeting also provided an opportunity to explore potential collaborations with legislators to expand our efforts and save and heal even more lives across the state.
Thanks to the collective efforts of donors, families, volunteers, lawmakers, and community partners, National Donate Life Month 2024 served as a powerful reminder of just how much community support can impact the lives of those touched by organ and tissue donation.
Aurora Community Connection
The Donate Life Community program, led by Donor Alliance and City of Aurora Mayor Michael Coffman, is about building a culture where organ and tissue donation is embraced. In 2024, the City of Aurora continued its strong commitment as a Donate Life Community, hosting several events that highlighted the importance of organ donation. From their signature Global Fest, which celebrates international cultures, to the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, the message of donation was woven into these community events to inspire their residents to register.
One of the highlights was the “Gift of Life” gift box at the holiday tree lighting. It drew in Aurora residents, who eagerly posed for festive photos in front of the striking Donate Life Colorado gift box while learning about the lifesaving impact of organ and tissue donation.
Sherri Somerville, a dedicated Donor Alliance Advocate and proud Aurora resident, was there volunteering and shared her deeply personal connection to donation. Her husband, Calvin, is a kidney and two-time liver transplant recipient. Thanks to the generosity of heroic donors, Sherri has been able to share an extra 10 years with Calvin following his lifesaving transplants.
But their story doesn’t stop there. When Calvin’s donated kidney began to fail, something extraordinary happened: Sherri was found to be a match. In an incredible act of love, Sherri became a living donor, offering Calvin the ultimate gift of life. Their story is a powerful reminder of how organ donation impacts not just the recipient, but also their families and entire communities.
Thanks to events like these and advocates like Sherri, Aurora is helping spread awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation, bringing people together, and offering hope to those waiting for a second chance at life.