Donor Alliance Awards Colorado Springs Driver License Employee for Saving & Healing Lives

Nearly All Organ & Tissue Registrations Come Through CO Driver License Offices

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Registering as an organ and tissue donor is a vital step in Donor Alliance’s mission to save and heal lives. In Colorado, nearly all organ and tissue donor registrations are processed through driver license offices. To honor the critical role these offices play in the donation process, today, Donor Alliance presented the 2024 DMV Appreciation Award to Rosie Gum of the Colorado Springs State Driver License Office. Each year, Donor Alliance recognizes a DMV team member who goes above and beyond to inspire customers to give the gift of life and embodies the spirit of donation within their office culture.

Although Rosie doesn’t have a personal connection to organ and tissue donation, her passion for the cause is palpable throughout the office. Each April, Rosie leads efforts to decorate the office in blue and green, the colors of Donate Life, in observance of National Donate Life Month. This initiative reflects her unwavering commitment to raising awareness among DMV customers and colleagues alike. Rosie has also created a DMV team for Donor Alliance’s annual Donor Dash, a 5K run/walk that honors, celebrates and recognizes those impacted by donation and transplantation.

"Donor Alliance is deeply grateful to our DMV partners. They play an essential role in the donation process, offering hope to the nearly 1,300 Coloradans awaiting a lifesaving organ transplant and tens of thousands more who need a tissue transplant," said Jennifer Prinz, President and CEO of Donor Alliance. "Every time a DMV customer is asked the donation question, it’s an opportunity to save and heal another life."

When a person registers to be an organ, eye and tissue donor they will receive the little heart with the Y on their license. That little heart has a big impact. One person can save up to eight lives through organ donation and save and heal up to 75 lives through tissue donation.

“The work we do at the DMV goes beyond issuing licenses–it’s about building a stronger, healthier community,” said Senior Director Electra Bustle. “Donor Alliance has been an incredible partner in that mission, helping us educate Coloradans about the life-saving impact of organ, eye and tissue donation. We are especially proud to celebrate Rosie for their outstanding dedication to this cause. Rosie’s commitment reflects the heart of our organization: serving the people of Colorado in meaningful ways.”

Last year, 307 heroic donors in Colorado and Wyoming provided 918 organ transplants and 1,703 tissue donors were able to provide more than 100,000 tissue grafts to those in need. Coloradans can also sign up today to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at DonorAlliance.org.

About Donor Alliance

Donor Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving and healing lives through organ and tissue donation for transplantation in Colorado and most of Wyoming. 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. Donor Alliance also facilitates tissue donation to save and heal more lives across our community. In addition, the organization manages the Donate Life Colorado and Donate Life Wyoming donor registries, which are symbols of the cause. When someone has the little heart with the Y on their driver license or state ID, it means they have joined the Donate Life registry. Through Donate Life, Donor Alliance educates residents on the lifesaving benefits of donation, inspiring them to register. For more information, please visit DonorAlliance.org.

About Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles

The DMV is committed to providing services for all Coloradans where they are needed most, whether it’s in-office, online or on the go. Visit DMV.Colorado.gov/Anywhere to find out how you can DMV anywhere. Yes, anywhere.