FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Jennifer Bailey 303-329-4747, Donor Alliance contact
Erich Kirshner 303-320-7790, Media contact
Heidi Heltzel 303-475-0127, American Transplant Foundation contact
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE DEGETTE; MAYOR HICKENLOOPER ADVOCATE
FOR ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION
Officials stress the need for organ and tissue donors during National Donate Life Month
Denver—April 10, 2006—With more than 1,600 people in Colorado and Wyoming currently
waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, officials spoke out today about the need for people to
sign-up to be organ and tissue donors.
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and U.S. Congresswoman Diana DeGette spearheaded an
organ and tissue donor registry drive today in Denver. The event, in Larimer Square, was part of
several National Donate Life Month activities being conducted by Donor Alliance and the
American Transplant Foundation.
“Seeing the difference that organ donation can make in people’s lives made me want to
participate in this donor registry drive,” said Mayor Hickenlooper. “While registering is amazingly
easy, the benefits of organ and tissue registration are profound, save lives and preserve families.”
“There are several myths that prevent citizens of Colorado from signing-up on the organ and
tissue donor registry,” noted the Congresswoman. “I urge everyone to learn more about organ
and tissue donation at donoralliance.org or americantransplantfoundation.org.”
To celebrate National Donate Life Month, organ and tissue donor registry drives are also being
conducted at two other Denver landmarks later this month. In addition to registering to be a
donor, the public is invited to attend these drives to learn more about organ and tissue donation,
blood donation, bone marrow donation, and living donation.
Special appearances by Governor Owens and Senator Salazar will be on the following
dates/times:

Monday, April 17th at 10:00 a.m. -- Governor Owens in the Capitol’s West wing

Monday, April 24th at 9:00 a.m. -- Senator Ken Salazar at the Blair Caldwell Library
“We’re delighted Mayor Hickenlooper and Congresswoman DeGette have agreed to join us today
to reach out to the community to stress the importance of signing-up to be an organ and tissue
donor,” said Sue Dunn, Donor Alliance president and CEO. “By increasing the number of those
signing up to be donors, we hope to reduce the time that people will have to wait for an organ
transplant.”
Heidi Heltzel, executive director of the American Transplant Foundation said, “There is nothing
more heroic than saving someone’s life, and all you need to do is sign-up. It’s that simple. We’re
eager for the public to join our state’s political leaders to give the gift of life and, at the same time,
learn more about organ and tissue donation.”
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About Donor Alliance
Donor Alliance is the federally designated non-profit organ procurement organization serving Colorado and
Wyoming. As a recognized leader in facilitating the donation and recovery of transplantable organs and
tissues, Donor Alliance’s primary objectives are to save and enhance the lives of others. To achieve these
objectives, Donor Alliance employs an effective family approach and recovery programs in over 100
hospitals, and increases the awareness of the need for organ and tissue donation through public awareness
and education campaigns in its service area. For more information, please visit www.DonorAlliance.org.
About American Transplant Foundation
The American Transplant Foundation is a national 501©3 non-profit organization that strives to eliminate our
country’s shortage of human transplant organs. Based in Denver, Colorado, the American Transplant
Foundation is participating in coordinated collaborative efforts to promote the advancement of organ
transplants. By promoting awareness, developing better publicly supported legislation and increasing
funding for research and science, the Foundation’s efforts will facilitate elimination of the gap between the
critical demand for organs and their supply, thus saving lives every day. For more information please visit
www.AmericanTransplantFoundation.org.