Every April, you see blue and green.
You see the stories, the flag raisings, the registration tables and the social media posts.
But what you don’t always see is everything happening behind the scenes to make Donate Life Month come to life.
Because Donate Life Month isn’t just a campaign — it’s a coordinated, months-in-the-making effort powered by passion, purpose and people who believe in the lifesaving mission of organ and tissue donation.
And this month holds even more meaning.
April isn’t just National Donate Life Month — it’s also National Volunteer Month. We have the opportunity to recognize the incredible people who help bring this mission to life every single day.
The People Behind the Mission
Behind every event and donor registration is a team of dedicated Donor Network of Arizona (DNA) volunteers working together to make it happen.
Our volunteers are at the heart of it all. They show up at community events, host registration tables, answer questions, share their personal stories, and ask one simple but powerful question: “Will you register as an organ and tissue donor today?”
Our education ambassadors step into classrooms and community spaces, leading “Donation 101” presentations that spark meaningful conversations and inspire action. Our partners, from hospitals to local businesses, open their doors and stand alongside us to help spread awareness.
And behind the scenes, staff are coordinating logistics, packing supplies, scheduling events, managing outreach, and making sure every detail is in place so that when April arrives, everything runs seamlessly.
Leaving her legacy: Meet Betty
Behind every registration table, every conversation and every “yes” is someone who chose to show up.
Betty’s connection to donation is personal. She received a kidney transplant in 2001 and began volunteering soon after.
“I knew nothing about DNA before being transplanted,” she said. “I was looking for a way to help people understand what a difference it can make in your life.”
More than 25 years later, she is still sharing that message.
Betty found DNA on her own while searching for a way to tell her story. Her first volunteer event was a registration table at a wellness event — the same kind of outreach she continues to support today.
She continues volunteering to educate others and address common misconceptions about donation.
“I had never imagined that I would need an organ,” she said. “Volunteering gives me a chance to help people better understand organ donation and transplantation.”
Betty’s story reflects what National Donate Life Month and National Volunteer Month are all about: people turning personal experience into action. Behind every effort is someone willing to share, educate and show up. And because of volunteers like Betty, more lives are saved, families find hope, and legacies live on.
What You Can Do
If you haven’t registered your decision yet, there’s no better time. Visit DonateLifeAZ.org to sign up as an organ and tissue donor and make your choice known. You can also register next time you visit an Arizona Department of Motor Vehicle Services field office when you apply for or renew your driver license or state ID.
Looking for a way to get involved? Volunteers like Betty are the heart of this work, helping educate communities and inspire others through real conversations. Whether it’s supporting an event or sharing information, there are opportunities year-round to make an impact.
Sign up to volunteer here and be part of the mission to save and heal lives.