TORRINGTON – When we think the term superhero, many of us see capes, masks, and incredible strength. Some of us think about police officers, fire fighters and our military personnel when we ponder such a noble word.
There are many different types of heroes. Firemen run into burning buildings and battle blazing infernos. Police officers keep the peace in an uncertain world while our military members defend and protect our great country.
But truthfully, heroes come in all shapes and sizes. They come from different professions and different areas of the world.
Some heroes are “born” into it. Some are “trained” into it and some cases, of course, some “volunteer” into it.
However, the option of “donating” to become a hero doesn’t come to mind as often.
According to statistics, 17 people die each day while waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, on average.
“Saying ‘yes’ to organ, eye and tissue donation saves lives. Every year, organ, eye, and tissue transplants provide hope to tens of thousands of people suffering from disease, injury, trauma, or blindness,” Heather Burke, Donor Alliance Public Relations and Communications Manager told the Telegram. “Thousands more people could benefit from lifesaving and healing eye and tissue donations.”
There are nearly 1,500 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, regionally, which includes Colorado and Wyoming, according to Burke. Those statistics include the nearly 150 Wyomingites who are currently on the list. The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is the national organization that sets allocation policy and matches recipients to donors.
“In September, the State of Wyoming proclaimed itself a ‘Donate Life Community’ state. The ‘Donate Life Community’ program is facilitated through Donor Alliance and creates a positive culture around organ, eye, and tissue donation in communities, so it’s embraced,” Burke said. “Grassroots efforts are utilized, so residents are well informed about the power and importance of donation before they’re asked to register at driver services.”
The Donor Alliance is a non-profit dedicating to healing and saving lives through the gift of organ and tissue donation for transplantation in Colorado and Wyoming, according to Burke.
“As a federally designated organ procurement organization – one of 56 in the U.S. – Donor Alliance serves more than 6.3 million residents and more than 100 hospitals. Donor Alliance walks alongside the family during the organ recovery process and ensures their loved one’s gifts are safely received at transplant centers in a timely manner,” Burke said. “Donor Alliance also facilitates tissue donation to save and heal more lives across our community.”
According to statistics listed on www.DonateLifeWyoming.org, more than 100,000 people nationwide are waiting a transplant. Regionally, 2,082 tissue donors provided thousands of healing gifts to suffering patients healing from trauma or disease in 2021 and 2,450 eye donors gave 1,948 sight-restoring corneal transplants, according to the site.
“Transplants offer patients a new chance at healthy and productive lives, returning them to their families, friends and communities,” Burke explained. “There continues to be a great need for more people to sign up to give the gift of life. Residents can sign up to become organ, eye, and tissue donors at the time of death by saying Yes when they obtain or renew a driver license or state ID, or anytime at www.DonateLifeWyoming.org.”
The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is now offering “Donate Life” license plates, by application, as part of an effort keep organ and tissue donation in the minds of the community.
According to WYDOT, anyone interested in increasing awareness of organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation may apply for the new, distinctive plates. The plates will feature the black, iconic bucking horse and rider, with the Green River Lakes and Squaretop Mountain with a bright blue sky. The letters “D” and “L” are neatly stacked in between the horse and identification numbers of the plate. The caption just above the golden rope boarder, in the clear lake, reads, “Be and organ, eye, and tissue donor.”
“WYDOT is proud to support Donor Alliance and their mission to save and heal lives,” Jordan Young, WYDOT Public Affairs spokesman told the Telegram.
By registering your decision to be a donor, WYDOT says, you get the opportunity to give other people a second chance at life. Registering is easy and can be done through the donatelifewyoming.org site or by calling (888) 867-4747.
“When you say ‘yes’ to registering as an organ and tissue donor, it is an opportunity for another life to be saved and healed. You’re giving someone a second chance at life. Every year, organ and tissue transplants provide hope to tens of thousands of people suffering from disease, injury, or trauma,” Burke said. “One person has the power to save up to eight lives through organ donation and save and heal up to 75 lives through tissue donation. Donor Alliance is excited about the new specialty license plate as it’ll be a ‘moving billboard’ to help us inspire more people to save and heal lives,” Burke added.
Plates are available through application located on the WYDOT website.
