The Heart of it All: Celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Week
TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY
Doctors diagnosed Kausandra Johnson with Type 1 diabetes at just 5 years old. By 30, her life had been altered by end-stage renal disease. Despite this diagnosis, Johnson stayed positive about her health and patiently waited six years on the national organ waiting list.
“Due to my faith, I did not find the process restricting at all. I continued to work, travel and inspire as many as I could,” Johnson says about her time waiting for a second chance.
A successful kidney and pancreas transplant improved Johnson’s health and ignited a profound sense of purpose.
“The gift of life makes me feel ‘chosen’ and purposed in this life to give in any and every way I can, to better someone else’s day, life, family and spirit,” says Johnson.
This renewed sense of purpose led Johnson to pursue and earn her master’s degree, as well as a certified public manager certification.
By sharing her story and volunteering with Donor Network of Arizona (DNA), she hopes to inspire others to consider the immeasurable impact of registering as an organ and tissue donor.
“To say that I am grateful does not cover the gesture that was bestowed upon me and my family,” she says.
FUELING OUR MISSION
Volunteers like Kausandra are the heart of it all. Wouldn’t share our mission without them. In fact, Donor Network of Arizona’s program currently has 111 active volunteers who dedicated almost 1,800 hours of their time to our mission. This April alone, they’ve already completed almost 300 volunteer hours to celebrate National Donate Life Month.
Each hour our volunteers offer gives Arizonans an opportunity to save and heal more lives. Whether it’s a speaking engagement or a registration table, they’re here to ask the question: “Will you register as an organ and tissue donor today?”
More than 1,000 people said yes to our volunteers who asked that question last year. By doing so, they give hope to those waiting for a lifesaving transplant.
That’s why this week, April 20 – 26, we celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Week.
MORE ABOUT OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
So, what exactly do DNA volunteers do?
Our volunteers help us make the most of life through registration events, donation storytelling opportunities and helping with behind-the-scenes tasks. We host registration tables at events of all shapes and sizes, where volunteers provide Arizonans an chance to become an organ and tissue donor hero.
If you’re looking to share your donation story with others, a speaking engagement may be right for you. DNA has various speaking opportunities for small groups, large groups and with local media outlets across the state. We also host speaker workshops to help you perfect your story, refine your skills, and feel confident in the delivery.
Not sure if you’re ready to speak or host a registration table? No problem. We never say no to an extra hand to help us organize, count or sort our event materials that support the success when we’re out in the community.
If you’re ready to jump in, you can complete a volunteer application here. For questions, or to learn more about volunteering, email Volunteers@dnaz.org.
UPCOMING EVENTS
During National Donate Life Month, we ask our partner organizations, such as hospitals, churches, Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) and authorized third-party (ATP) offices, restaurants and nonprofits to hold registration tables in collaboration with our volunteers. See upcoming events this April below.
Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center Registration Tables
Every Tuesday and Thursday in April!
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. OR 1 – 4 p.m.
📍14502 W Meeker Blvd, Sun City West, AZ 85375
Abrazo Central Campus Registration Table
Thursday, April 24
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
📍 2000 W Bethany Home Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85015
Light the Night at Banner Thunderbird
Friday, April 25
6 – 8 p.m.
📍 5555 W Thunderbird Rd, Glendale, AZ 85306
Honor Walk at Banner Desert Medical Center
Friday, April 25
7 – 8 p.m.
📍 1400 S Dobson Rd, Mesa, AZ 85202
Girls on the Run with Mayo Clinic
Saturday, April 26
7 a.m.
📍 1700 W Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Candlelight Vigil at Chandler Regional Medical Center
Tuesday, April 29
7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
📍 1955 W Frye Rd, Chandler, AZ 85224
Did one of these events catch your eye? Sign up to volunteer here.
HELP US SAVE LIVES
Your help is as important as ever. More than 104,000 people are currently on the national organ transplant waiting list. Nearly 2,000 of those people live here in Arizona. See how you can help below.
Volunteer with us. Sign up as a Donor Network of Arizona volunteer here.
Register as an organ and tissue donor. You can save up to eight lives and heal 75 more yourself. Sign up today at DonateLifeAZ.org or next time you visit an ADOT MVD or ATP office.
LIVERguard: A complex liver’s journey
AN INFORMAL CASE STUDY ABOUT MEDICALLY COMPLEX ORGAN DONORS, WHY THEY’RE OFTEN REJECTED, AND WHAT DNA DOES TO HELP
It was declined a staggering 2,239 times by transplant surgeons across nearly 40 transplant centers in October 2024. Against the odds, Donor Network of Arizona (DNA) placed this donated liver with a Florida transplant surgeon on the 2,240th offer, saving a patient’s life. This is a common, intricate hurdle DNA must jump since organs from medically complex donors can be a challenge to place
The donor, a 68-year-old man, presented complex medical factors.
“The donor’s age and medical history presented compounding factors,” says Nathan Fine, DNA’s manager of transplant partnerships. “In the end, all three organs from this donor—liver and both kidneys— required a variety of interventions to be successfully matched with recipients, but it’s worth it if it means we save more lives.”
The donor also had hepatitis C and was able to donate through a process called donation after circulatory death (DCD)—as opposed to after a declaration of brain death—meaning the organs risked warm ischemic damage from the time delay between the withdrawal of the ventilator and start of organ recovery. In this case, over an hour had passed, potentially reducing the chances of immediate graft (organ) function and affecting long-term outcomes for the recipient. DNA, however, used advanced preservation techniques to navigate these obstacles.
To maximize the chances of a successful liver transplant and mitigate the effects of warm ischemia (time with no blood flow or oxygen), the team performed normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) as part of the donor’s care, which temporarily restores blood flow and oxygen to the organs intended for transplantation. DNA preservationists then stored the liver in Paragonix LIVERguard, an advanced organ preservation device that maintains precise temperature control, preventing freezing of the organ’s cells compared to conventional storage on ice, known as static cold storage. This has proven to support the success of transplants after longer travel and preservation times.
Ultimately, a surgeon in Florida accepted the liver, more than 1,700 miles away for multiple reasons including the fact that modern antiviral hepatitis C treatments have a 90% cure rate on the first try, though stigma around accepting such organs still exists.
Once on the East Coast, the transplant team used an OrganOx metra, another tool that kept the liver oxygenated and nourished at body temperature, meaning the liver went through some type of advanced preservation for a notable 33 hours before the transplant—much more than the typical 10 hours. This prolonged preservation allowed the liver to improve its damage and function, addressing concerns for the recipient’s long-term health.
WE’RE HERE TO SAVE MORE LIVES
This case highlights the dedication of DNA’s team in placing medically complex organs. In 2024, DNA made NRP standard practice for DCD donors, taking ownership of the decision rather than waiting for such requests from only the organ transplant centers that have the right resources. NRP reduces the rate of recovered but non-transplanted organs, maximizing the generosity of Arizona’s donors.
“The rate of organs recovered but not transplanted is generally cut in half when we utilize NRP,” Fine explains.
With these advanced preservation and perfusion techniques, DNA has dramatically increased the use of donated organs. As of November 10, 2024, the average number of organs transplanted per donor has risen from 1.96 to 2.82, nearly one more organ per donor, demonstrating DNA’s commitment to saving as many lives as possible.
IT’S WORLD LIVER DAY
What better way to celebrate this groundbreaking case than today? April 19 is World Liver Day.
There are more than 9,000* people waiting for a liver transplant. LIVERguard offers hope to these patients and helps us save more lives.
*Data as of 4/7/2025
THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS TO REGISTER
“I’m too sick.”
“I’m too old.”
These are common misconceptions we hear when we enter the community to encourage Arizonans to register as organ and tissue donors. These are both false.
There are no health restrictions to age limits to register. Your potential to save lives through organ donation is determined at the time of death, and thanks to advancing technologies like LIVERguard—medically complex donors save lives, too.
You can register online any time at DonateLifeAZ.org or next time you visit an Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division or authorized third-party office.
Want to learn more? Visit our blog, What does it mean to register?
First in the world
ARIZONA LEADS WORLD IN USE OF NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION THAT FITS IN AIRPLANE SEAT
The next time you board a commercial flight, look around you. You might see a different kind of passenger—one that’s on its way to save a life! The Donor Network of Arizona (DNA) team celebrates being the first in the country, and the world, to successfully deliver a donated kidney for transplant by commercial airline flight using this new, cutting-edge organ preservation technology to its full capacity.
WHAT IS IT?
They call it the Paragonix KidneyVault™ System. Paragonix Technologies—an organ transplant medical device company—specifically designed this FDA-cleared kidney perfusion and preservation system with the most advanced technologies. That includes the ability to:
- Perfuse (run fluids through) the kidney continuously between donor and recipient, including while in flight.
- Remotely monitor perfusion parameters, temperature conditions and other critical data at all times.
- Maintain a consistent hypothermic (optimal cold storage) environment, which has been shown to reduce post-transplant recipient complications compared to traditional static cold storage on ice.
The KidneyVault™ technology aims to allow more organs to be suitable for transplant—particularly by reducing the number of donated organs that go unused—and improve patient outcomes post-transplant compared to previous methods of perfusion or preservation and transportation.
PLEASE KEEP YOUR SEATBELT FASTENED!
This device was designed to fit in an airplane seat in economy class—not checked in as cargo. An attendant (not to be confused with a flight attendant) accompanies the organ device to allow for more complex travel routes, which helps to get more donated organs to the best matching patients on the national organ waiting list safely and efficiently.
“Using the Paragonix KidneyVault is another way we’re showing our commitment to getting every possible organ available to the more than 104,000 people in the U.S. waiting for a lifesaving transplant—90,000 of whom need a kidney,” says Nathan Fine, organ utilization manager at DNA. “For medically complex kidneys, this technology helps us prevent the nonuse of donated organs, which can be heartbreaking for the donor’s family as well as our team.”
With this, and other, advanced preservation and perfusion techniques, DNA has dramatically increased the use of donated organs. As of November 2024, the average number of organs transplanted per donor rose from 1.96 to 2.82, nearly one more organ per donor, which translates to hundreds of more organs getting transplanted per year.
MORE ABOUT PARAGONIX TECHNOLOGIES
Paragonix Technologies is a leading developer, manufacturer and service provider in the organ transplant industry, establishing a novel approach to organ preservation. Paragonix Technologies provides Advanced Organ Preservation (“AOP”) devices that safeguard donor organs during the journey between donor and recipient patients. Our FDA-cleared and CE-marked devices incorporate clinically proven and medically trusted cold preservation techniques that allow unprecedented physical and thermal protection to the organ during transit. All Paragonix AOP devices are natively integrated with our novel digital app, delivering real-time organ tracking data and monitoring logistics for transplant teams seeking a secure and centralized solution. For more information, visit Paragonix.com.
Like birds of a feather …
OUR FAVORITE MONTH OF THE YEAR IS FINALLY HERE!
Like Billie Eilish once said, “Birds of a feather, we should stick together” … for National Donate Life Month, of course. 🎶🐦
Each year, we recognize April as National Donate Life Month. It’s a chance for us to honor and remember donor heroes, celebrate the lives saved and encourage Arizonans to register as organ and tissue donors.
This year’s theme? Let Life Sing!
Birds are known across many cultures as one of the most welcomed and visible signs of spring. They represent both new beginnings and visits from loved ones who have passed away. The yearly return of birds and their songs offer us a sense of peace and hope.
HOW WE CELEBRATE
During National Donate Life Month, we invite partner organizations and all Arizonans to help spread the word about organ and tissue donation and ultimately encourage members of our community to register as donors.
Our partners include hospitals, churches and nonprofits, and they often hold registration tables of their own. Want to join us in the community? Come visit us at any of the events listed below or sign up to volunteer here.
- Virtual Honor Walk: All month long! Dedicate your physical activity to celebrate and honor Arizona organ donors here.
- Fight for Air Climb with the American Lung Association: Saturday, April 5 at 9 a.m. | 7408 E Osborn Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
- Kidney Walk with National Kidney Foundation: Sunday, April 6 at 8 a.m. | 7555 N Pima Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
- Pat’s Run Registration Table with Mayo Clinic Hospital: Saturday, April 12 at 7 a.m.| 400 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281
- Arizona Derby Dames: Saturday, April 12 at 5 p.m. | 2517 W McDowell Rd, Suite 118, Phoenix, AZ 85009
- Spring Cemetery Movie Night with Evergreen: Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. | 3015 N. Oracle Rd., Tucson, AZ
- Light the Night at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center: Friday, April 25 at 6 p.m. | 5555 W Thunderbird Rd, Glendale, AZ 85306
- Honor Walk at Banner Desert Medical Center: Friday April 25 at 7 p.m. | 1400 S Dobson Rd, Mesa, AZ 85202
- Girls on the Run: Saturday, April 26 at 7 a.m. | 1700 W Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85007
- Candlelight Vigil at Chandler Regional Medical Center: Tuesday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. | 1955 W Frye Rd, Chandler, AZ 85224
See more about how we’ve celebrated National donate Life Month in the past at our 2024 Highlight Reel.
A STRONGHEARTED MAN
The decision to register as an organ and tissue donor is a powerful act of giving life. Nicole Worrior knows this well. When her son, Richard Umberger, passed in 2015, his decision to donate saved David Axmear from the brink of death.
Eight years later, their stories came together in an emotional reunion. Worrior got the chance to hear her son’s heart still alive in this world. As a retired Tucson-area nurse, she brought her own stethoscope to listen to Axmear’s chest.
“Promise made, promise kept,” Worrior said under her breath as tears rolled down her cheeks. The two shared laughter as they flipped through a scrapbook Worrior brought with her. Axmear listened closely as she recounted the many stories of her son.
The generosity of people like Richard is why we celebrate National Donate Life Month. Together, we acknowledge organ donors and their families who have given the ultimate gift and encourage Arizonans to do the same.
“I’ve always been proud of my son,” she says. “He was always a stronghearted man.”
The two plan to meet once a year as Axmear travels back to Phoenix from Iowa for his annual checkups.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Help us let life sing this April! Check out the calendar below to learn more about the many observances we’re celebrating throughout National Donate Life Month.
Share your support on social media and encourage your friends and family to register as organ and tissue donors. You can find premade social media content, posters and other resources at DonateLifeMonthAZ.org.
Most importantly, you can register or reaffirm your decision to be an organ and tissue donor online today at DonateLifeAZ.org or next time you visit an Arizona Department of Transportation MVD to apply for or renew your driver’s license or state ID.
Our biggest year yet for saving lives
Arizona organ donors saved the most lives in a single year in 2024 with a record-breaking number of organ donors and total organs transplanted as a result.
RECORD-BREAKING GENEROSITY
Arizona organ donors saved 899 lives last year. Not only is it a new record, but it’s also the first time that number has rebounded since the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was the 371 selfless organ donors, and their families, from across the state who made that possible—another record.
More than 210,000 people registered as organ and tissue donors in Arizona for the first time last year.
BEHIND THE NUMBERS
These records are more than just numbers. Every donation has an impact, whether a donor hero, donor family member, recipient, caregiver or a waiting list candidate who needs this lifesaving medical intervention. They all have a story. Keep reading to learn the story of Erin Gall, a donor hero.
Erin “ErBear” Gall was known for her sweet, fun and at times, competitive nature. A loving friend, daughter and mother, she always found ways to lift others up. On her social media pages, she had proudly written “Aspiring Superhero” under her name—a title that would later take on deeper meaning.
In March 2023, shortly after the birth of her daughter, Melody, Gall suffered an asthma attack and did not survive. Her family learned that she had previously registered as an organ and tissue donor, and as devastated as they were to lose her, they felt comfort in knowing that she had made the decision to save lives.
“It was in her nature to help others,” said her mother, Sally Flatland. “But she was humble and would probably say, ‘That’s what anybody would do.’”
Her mother says she truly lived out her dream by being a donor. In fact, her decision saved three young girls’ lives. No longer aspiring—Erin is a true superhero.
Flatland has since made it her mission to keep Erin’s memory alive by volunteering with Donor Network of Arizona, the state’s organ procurement organization, and telling her story, remembering her love and passions for music, soccer, travel and a good carne asada burrito.
“We never want Erin to be forgotten, and I believe that she never will because of her selfless act of being a donor,” says Flatland. “Losing my daughter is the most devastating experience, but the pain is lessened just a bit knowing she gave a part of her to allow others to live. Erin is a true superhero!”
WE CAN’T DO IT ALONE
The record-breaking generosity we saw in 2024 was possible with the selflessness of donors and their families just like Erin’s story, the tireless efforts of our clinical and support teams, collaboration with hospitals and transplant centers and of course, the 4.8 million registered donors in Arizona.
Were you one of the 210,000 people who registered as an organ and tissue donor for the first time last year? If not, you can sign up right now on DonateLifeAZ.org or next time you visit an Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division or authorized third-party office.
Share the love
Feb. 14 isn’t just about chocolate and roses. It just so happens that National Donor Day falls on Valentine’s Day, as well as Arizona’s birthday. So, join us in spreading the love!
NATIONAL DONOR DAY
Observed every year Feb. 14, National Donor Day is dedicated to spreading education about organ and tissue donation, as well as recognizing those who have given the gift of life. It is a day to recognize those who received the gift of life through donation, those who are currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant, and those who died waiting because an organ was not donated in time.
Help us celebrate National Donor Day by registering to save and heal lives at DonateLifeAZ.org.
COMFORT THROUGH SORROW
Julissa Rose Garcia, a talented softball player, lost her life in December 2016 after an ATV accident. By then, her family already knew how life-changing organ donation can be.
Her uncle, Chris Alvarado, says several of their family members are organ recipients. Although the loss of life is tragic, and Alvardo says that the “grieving always remains,” the family finds comfort knowing Garcia’s spirit lives on. They say they are grateful she was able to help others.
THE LOVE OF GIVING
Help us spread the word, and love!
Is your valentine a lifesaver? Let them know and download a Valentine’s Day greeting card below. ❤️
RENEWED LIFE —A GIFT FROM THE HEART
The renewed life Julissa was able to offer to others is a gift from the heart. You have the choice to do the same.
Register as an organ and tissue donor online today at DonateLifeAZ.org or next time you visit an Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Services office or authorized third-party location.
New Year. New beginnings.
HOPE ON HOLD
For those on the organ transplant waiting list, no feeling compares to receiving the call that the wait is over. Heather Korp still waits for that life-altering phone call.
Heather’s journey has been a challenging one. Because of an autoimmune disease, she developed cirrhosis, a severe liver condition that often requires a patient to receive a transplant. As she anxiously awaits a lifesaving liver transplant, she can’t help but think about the impact the uncertainty has on her son.
“I worry about his feelings,” she admits, concerned about the emotional toll her illness takes on him. “I do not ‘look sick,’ but I feel it and hide it from many.”
Heather also believes most people don’t give organ donation a second thought until a loved one is in need and hopes one day that will change.
As Heather metaphorically sits by the phone, she wants people to know “it makes a big difference in a person’s life knowing someone helped save your life.”
A RESOLUTION TO REGISTER
Welcome, 2025!
Thinking about your resolutions and goals for the upcoming year? There’s one decision that could offer another person a second chance and leave a legacy – registering as an organ and tissue donor.
Your choice to share life has a lasting impact. You have the potential to save up to eight lives and heal 75 more. It’s a decision that may save the lives of those like Heather, or the 104,000+* individuals that wait alongside her in the United States.
It only takes 38 seconds to register, so it could even be the first goal you complete this year! You can sign up when you apply for or renew your driver license or state ID or online now at www.DonateLifeAZ.org, and don’t forget to share your decision with family and friends.
NEW BEGINNINGS
David Axmear embarked on a fresh start when he received a heart transplant in 2015.
Eight years later, he united with Nicole Worrior, the mother of his donor. Nicole got the chance to hear her son’s heart still alive in this world.
“Promise made, promise kept,” Nicole said under her breath as tears rolled down her cheeks.
The two shared laughter as they flipped through a scrapbook Nicole brought with her. David listened closely as she recounted the many stories of her son.
The two plan to meet up once a year as David travels back to Phoenix from Iowa for his annual checkups.
THE TIME IS NOW
The decision to register as an organ and tissue donor is a powerful act. Heather, Nicole and David know this well.
You have a chance to make a difference. Sign up now at www.DonateLifeAZ.org.
*Data as of 1/2/2024
New President and CEO of Donor Network of Arizona Announced
Kathy Mills, recently announced as Donor Network of Arizona’s (DNA) new president and CEO starting in January 2025, brings deep experience to the role. Having served DNA for 32 years—most recently as senior vice president and chief financial officer—Mills holds a master’s degree in health care management and business administration in health care with a leadership focus from the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management. With a bachelor’s degree in business and a CPA license, her background combines health care leadership with financial expertise.
In addition to her education, Mills has actively participated in the Virginia Piper Academy’s Atlas Program, a nonprofit capacity-building initiative, gaining unique insights into executive leadership in service-oriented fields. Her journey from CFO to CEO reflects a dedication to financial stewardship, organizational growth, and the mission of saving lives through organ and tissue donation.
“I’m truly honored to step into this role,” says Mills. “Every day, we have the chance to make a real difference for families, patients and our community. I’m excited to move our mission forward with a fantastic team, one life saved at a time.”
This incredible team, led by Tim Brown, president and CEO of DNA for 22 years, will continue to prioritize cutting-edge technology, partnership development, and compassionate care for donor families under Mills’ helm.
In the past 15 years, under Brown’s guidance, there has been a 180% increase in organ donation in Arizona.
“DNA plays a vital role in health care,” Brown says. “We’re committed to supporting donor families during difficult times and honoring donors’ legacies through lives saved. We succeed by striving to be better than we were yesterday.”
Remarkably, 121% of DNA’s growth happened in the last decade alone. Under Brown’s leadership, DNA sharpened its focus on excellence, which transformed DNA’s operations, employee culture, as well as efficiency, and in turn, the number of lives saved. Brown will step down at the end of 2024, which concludes a remarkable career underscored by passion, positive energy and eagerness to better serve DNA’s mission each day.
Just this past year, Brown led the opening of Arizona’s first dedicated donor care center (DCC). The hospital-based DCC enhances donor care, improves recovery timing, and streamlines transport, helping to save the lives of more patients who depend on organ donations.
Brown’s dedication exemplifies the spirit of hope for those who rely on our work. Through continuous improvements over more than two decades of leadership, Brown has contributed to saving the lives of more than 12,000 people in the U.S.
The DNA team extends its appreciation to the community whose continued support and generosity fuel its mission. Every registered donor, health care partner, donor and donor family contribute to the lifesaving mission that unites us all.
What does it mean to register?
THE QUESTION
If you visit an Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division (ADOT MVD) field office, or select authorized third-party (ATP) location, you may be asked if you would like to register as an organ and tissue donor depending on your reason for visiting. In fact, this is the most common place Arizonans are asked, and 95% of new donor registrations in our state happen through an ADOT MVD or ATP transaction.
You might also be asked to register as a donor at a registration table during a community event, like an Arizona Diamondbacks game. When you see a story about donation online or in the media, you’re encouraged to add your name to the registry by visiting DonateLifeAZ.org.
There are many avenues to register as an organ and tissue donor. But what does actually mean if you sign up?
THE ROLE OF THE REGISTRY
Donor Network of Arizona (DNA) is the federally designated organ procurement organization for Arizona and administers the state’s confidential donor registry. Registering as an organ and tissue donor is a legally-binding decision to save and heal lives, and it is just one way donation professionals can identify if a person has authorized donation at the end of life.
Registration status can be indicated with a DONOR ♥ insignia on a driver license or state ID. However, this insignia does not confirm someone’s registry status if donation becomes a possibility. Only the registry itself is the confirmation.
Only we at DNA can verify a person’s registry status when a hospital reports the death to our team. All hospitals in the state are federally required to call DNA in the event of a patient’s death, or imminent death, and hospital staff have no way to know a patient’s registry status.
If the patient’s name and information aren’t in the DonateLifeAZ registry, their legal next-of-kin or authorized representative can authorize donation. Learn more about the deceased donation process here.
Have more questions about the Arizona registry? Learn more at DonateLifeAZ Registry.
AN INTENTIONAL DECISION
Adison Leigh Rayburn deeply understood the power of sharing life.
“She actually registered to be a donor twice,” her parents, Rob and Shannon Rayburn, say.
Adison passed away after an asthma attack in December 2023. Through her decision to register as an organ and tissue donor, she saved the lives of three and offered other gifts for research.
“She was one of the brightest, most curious kids,” says Shannon.
Her parents think she would be elated to learn she saved the lives of other people. They say her decision to register as a donor as “deliberate” and “intentional.” The Rayburns say the donation process has had a profound impact on themselves as well.
WHY YOU SHOULD REGISTER
The decision to register as an organ and tissue donor is a choice to share life with your fellow humans.
Right now, more than 104,000* people in the United States need an organ transplant. More than 1,800* live in Arizona. Like Adison, your decision to register could help save up to eight of those lives and heal 75 more.
WHAT’S NEXT
Join the more than 4.8 million people on the DonateLifeAZ Registry. You can sign up as an organ and tissue donor next time you visit an ADOT MVD or ATP. But why wait? You can register online right now at DonateLifeAZ.org.
*Data as of 11/14/2024
We are passionate, positive & eager
A TOP COMPANY TO WORK FOR IN ARIZONA
Donor Network of Arizona (DNA) is celebrating another huge accomplishment this year! For the third year in a row, DNA has been named a Top Company to Work for in Arizona. This recognition showcases DNA’s commitment to fostering a positive and rewarding work environment for its employees—because happier employees save more lives.
That’s not all! DNA was also selected as one of Arizona’s Most Admired Companies for 2024. These awards speak volumes about our organization’s dedication to its employees and its mission of saving and healing lives.
THE SECRET SAUCE
So, what’s the secret sauce behind DNA’s success as an employer? According to Kelsie McClendon, director of Human Resources at DNA, it’s not just about policies and programs. Instead, DNA prioritizes a culture driven by our core values: passion, positive energy and an eagerness to learn and grow.
McClendon emphasizes DNA’s approach is proactive and continuous. His team gathers regular feedback from employees and uses external surveys to identify areas for improvement. This ensures a consistently positive workplace experience for all and allows DNA to explore innovative ways to be an even better employer.
EVERYDAY IMPACTS
DNA’s recipe for a successful work environment combines empowerment and support. Our employees are encouraged to take initiative and grow professionally within a supportive environment fostered by leadership.
Perhaps the most significant factor is the meaningful work itself. In a recent survey conducted by BestCompaniesAZ, 97% of our employees said that they find value in contributing to our mission. Here at DNA, every employee plays a direct role in saving and healing lives through organ and tissue donation.
BestCompaniesAZ works with community partners to help strengthen and market their unique employer brands on a regional and national level. With years of experience and leadership in areas such as organizational culture development, strategic human resources management, employer branding, public relations and talent marketing, BestCompaniesAZ is best known for creating large-scale workplace awards programs and events such as the Best Places to Work in the Valley, Arizona’s Most Admired Companies and Top Companies to Work for in Arizona.
To join our amazing team, visit our careers page.
For complete details about the Top Companies to Work for Arizona, visit BestCompaniesAZ.