Calendar of Events

Donate Life Connecticut supports these national events aimed at increasing organ, eye and tissue donation:

February 14: National Donor Day
National Donor Day encourages blood, marrow, blood stem cell and organ, eye and tissue donation. In partnership with the Saturn Corporation and the United Auto Workers Union, donation organizations provide an opportunity for all Americans to visit a Saturn dealership in their area to give blood, join the National Marrow Registry and learn about how to commit to being an organ, eye and tissue donor.

April: National Donate Life Month
National Donate Life Month (NDLM) was instituted by Donate Life America and its members in 2003, and grew out of the federally proclaimed National Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation Awareness Week (NOTDAW). NDLM features an entire month of local, regional and national activities to help encourage Americans to become a donor.

August 1: National Minority Donor Awareness Day
National Minority Donor Awareness Day reaches out to minorities and focuses on the various fears and obstacles associated with donation, encourages healthy living and disease prevention, and promotes life-saving organ, eye and tissue donation.

September 15 - October 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the culture and traditions of U.S. residents with Hispanic roots. It is used as an opportunity to celebrate and honor the gifts of life made by Hispanics through organ, eye and tissue donation and to encourage Hispanics to commit to donation.

November: National Donor Sabbath
National Donor Sabbath is observed two weekends before Thanksgiving as members of faith communities focus on the life-affirming gifts of hope passed to others by organ, eye, tissue, marrow and blood donors. Many faith leaders participate in services and programs to educate their congregations about donation and transplantation and the critical need for donors. More info.

Organ Transplantation and Donation Facts at a Glance

Donate Life Connecticut

People of all ages and medical histories should consider themselves potential donors. Your medical condition at the time of death will determine what organs and tissue can be donated.
Organs and tissues that can be donated include: heart, kidneys, lungs, pancreas, liver, intestines, corneas, skin, tendons, bone, and heart valves.
There is no national registry of organ donors. Even if you have indicated your wishes on your driver's license or a donor card, be sure you have told your family as they will be consulted before donation can take place.
All major religions approve of organ and tissue donation and consider donation the greatest gift.
An open-casket funeral is possible for organ and tissue donors.