USA: In a heartfelt intersection of honor, remembrance, and advocacy, the state of Colorado is celebrating Donate Life Month. Throughout April, buildings across the state are adorned with Donate Life flags, a powerful symbol representing the unity and hope surrounding organ, eye, and tissue donation. The flags are not just flying in hospitals but have taken root in cities, schools, DMVs, and community venues, such as the arts complex downtown, marking a collective nod to those who provide and receive the gift of life.
Cheryl Thally from the Donor Alliance explains this initiative as a communal observance meant to celebrate the selfless contributions of organ donors and inspire hope for the 1,300 individuals waiting for transplants in Colorado. Among the recipients whose lives have transformed through organ donation is Tony Young, a living testament to the miraculous impact of these donations. Young’s journey from suffering multiple heart attacks to receiving a heart and kidney transplant in March 2020, thanks to an angel donor, underscores the life-saving essence of this act of giving.
Tony Young has become a beacon of inspiration for the “Shine a Light” campaign, conceived during a Donor Alliance meeting. Lighting two candles every evening, Young honors his donor’s legacy, symbolizing the two organs he received. Now, this act has evolved into a wider movement that invites others to pledge their support and recognition of organ donation.
The “Shine a Light” campaign offers numerous avenues for participation, from engaging in 65 diverse events statewide and erecting symbolic blue and green lighting displays at Sculpture Park to personal acts such as sharing stories on social media or illuminating one’s home with special kits. Each gesture amplifies the message of Donate Life Month, encouraging community members to join in solidarity and make their intentions known to become organ and tissue donors themselves.
