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.” ### 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.