National Donate Life Month Awareness Programs

April is National Donate Life Month. The American Transplant Foundation participates in this nationwide effort by raising awareness for the importance of organ and tissue donation through events, press conferences, and donor registration drives. Visit our In the News and News Releases pages to read about the national and local public officials who have joined us for National Donate Life Month.

In April of 2006, the American Transplant Foundation was the proud recipient of a tribute from the Colorado General Assembly for our leadership role in promoting organ and tissue transplants. View the media advisory.

Community Outreach & Education Programs

The Foundation participates in several community events each year to inform the public about the importance of organ and tissue donation. At many events, the Foundation provides a booth where dedicated volunteers answer questions about donation and encourage members of the community to register to become donors. The American Transplant Foundation has also participated in events like the Donor Dash and the Colorado Colfax Marathon to draw attention to the cause and to raise awareness about the hundreds of thousands of people whose lives have been affected by transplantation. Visit the Events page to learn more about the events encompassed by this program.

Multicultural Outreach & Education Program

More than half of the people on the waiting list for an organ transplant are racial or ethnic minorities, and the chances of receiving a transplant increase if the donor and recipient share the same racial and ethnic background. The American Transplant Foundation’s Multicultural Outreach and Education Program seeks to educate minorities about organ and tissue donation and to encourage members of these communities to register to become donors. Preventing the need for a transplant is also an important part of this program.

Patient Assistance Program

In January of 2009, the Foundation unveiled the new Patient Assistance Program. Funded exclusively through donations made in honor and in memory of loved ones, these monies will be earmarked to provide one-time financial assistance to transplant patients on a case-by-case basis. For example, to receive a transplant a patient must have a clean dental bill of health, but not everyone has dental coverage or can afford a trip to the dentist. By working closely with the area transplant centers, the Foundation will be taking case referrals and requests and, based upon funds availability and patient eligibility, will provide assistance to those most in need.

You can make a donation in honor or in memory of someone here.

Referrals and requests for funding may only be made through social workers at transplant centers. Individuals seeking assistance should contact their assigned social worker at their personal transplant center for details.

Increasing Opportunities for Donor Registration

One of the American Transplant Foundation’s main goals is to make donor registration more mainstream and accessible. The Foundation worked with the Colorado Department of Revenue to add a donor registration form to the Colorado State income tax booklet, making the opportunity to register as an organ donor easy and annual. Colorado tax filers now have the opportunity to register as a donor when they fill out either the State-printed tax booklet or file online.

The Foundation is currently working with the State Internet Portal Authority (SIPA) to increase opportunities for registering as an organ donor through Colorado.gov. We have already succeeded in creating more accessible links to the online donor registry through the Division of Motor Vehicles page. Whereas previously only registered drivers who were renewing their licenses online could register to be organ donors, now everyone who accesses the page can do so if they click on New Residents, Teen Driver, Adult Driver, or Online Services. Visit the DMV’s site.

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