April is National Donate Life Month – Celebrate With Us Virtually!
April is National Donate Life Month
National Donate Life Month (NDLM) was established by Donate Life America and its partnering organizations in 2003. Observed in April each year, National Donate Life Month helps to encourage Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to honor those that have saved lives through the gift of donation.
For the 2020 National Donate Life Month artwork, Donate Life America was inspired by the springtime scene of a garden. A garden and the insects within in it serve as symbols of hope, courage and transformed life — themes repeatedly found within the donation and transplantation journey.
The Donate Life garden depicts an ecosystem of plants, insects, and other components working together to form an interconnected living system. Similarly, we each have the potential to nurture and enrich our communities through organ, eye and tissue donation. This National Donate Life Month, we ask you to be a part of this lifesaving and healing garden by registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor; becoming educated about living donation, and championing the Donate Life cause.
Celebrate with Donate Life Texas (DLT) – 7 Ways in 7 Days:
We have moved our celebration of National Donate Life Month virtually. Each week DLT will create a calendar of ideas to inspire our supporters to share our message. We will have regular posts on our social media channels – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter – to provide information and encouragement.
Week 4:
- Monday, April 20 – Celebrate and Share!
It’s National Pediatric Transplant Week! This week focuses on the powerful message of ending the pediatric transplant waiting list. Share your story with us on social media. Read more and download graphics here. It’s also Medical Laboratory Professionals Week. Give a should out online to say thanks for all they do!
- Tuesday, April 21 – Decorate Your House
Print a flyer and post it on your front window. Share the #DonateLife message!
- Wednesday, April 22 – Happy Earth Day!
Learn more about the blue and green in the Donate Life symbol. Check it out and share today’s Facebook post.
- Thursday, April 23 – Kid’s Art Contest is extended!
We’ve extended our Art Contest! Kids, get creative with your #DonateLife chalk art or download the DLM coloring page from our website. Did we mention prizes? Share your photos with us by 4/30 for a chance to win a DLT backpack! Click here to download the coloring page.
- Friday, April 24 – Celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week!
Share your favorite volunteer event or activity with us on social media or post your story on DLT’s website!
- Saturday, April 25 – Celebrate and Share!
Tell us what you love about National Donate Life Month.
- Sunday, April 26 – Flag Pole Photo Day
Share photos of you raising or flying your Donate Life Flag. Don’t have a flag? Download a Donate Life Month flyer and hang it in your window
Week 3:
- Monday, April 13 – Post a Message
Join us and post a message of hope and healing to patients on the national transplant waiting list. Currently, there are more than 12,000 men, women & children waiting nationally. More than 10,000 of those patients are waiting in Texas! Read more about the national transplant waiting list and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).
- Tuesday, April 14 – Decorate Your Home
Get ready for National Blue & Green Day this Friday, April 17th! Decorate your home with blue & green lights, flags, and window artwork for all to see!
- Wednesday, April 15 – It’s Christmas in April!
The Hallmark Channel is showing the most wonderful donation themed Christmas story. “The Christmas Heart” will air on 4/15/2020 at 9:00 pm / 8:00 pm CST. Share with us a picture of you and your loved ones enjoying the movie!
- Thursday, April 16 – Kids Art Contest
Kids, express your Donate Life support, and wins DLT backpack! Get creative with chalk art designs on your sidewalk or driveway. Download the DLM coloring page from our website and show us your skills! Share your photos with us through our social media channels or email us at info@donatelifetexas.org. Photos must be shared on/before 4/19/2020 for a chance to win a DL Texas backpack. Click here to download the coloring page.
- Friday, April 17 – Today is National Blue & Green Day!
Share all of your best blue and green photos today! Show off those Donate Life colors and send your photos into the national photo contest. More details about National Blue & Green Day and the contest here.
- Saturday, April 18 – Be a Myth Buster
Post a personal story that busts a donation myth. Don’t forget to tag us.
- Sunday, April 19 – Celebrate and Share!
Today kicks off National Pediatric Transplant Week. It focuses on the powerful message of ending the pediatric transplant waiting list. Share your story with us on social media. Read more and download graphics here. It’s also Medical Laboratory Professionals Week. Give a should out online to say thanks for all they do!
Week 2:
- Monday, April 6 – Register with Walgreens
Register your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor through the Walgreens app this week. Don’t forget to give Walgreens a shout-out on social media too!
This week, you can register your decision to be an organ, eye & tissue donor through your Walgreens app! As of today, nearly 10,000 people have registered to save & heal lives through the app – help us reach the goal of 12,000 people registered by the end of the week! Here’s how to register in your Walgreens app: Go to the Prescriptions section on the app and select Become An Organ Donor. Your donor registration will go directly & securely to the Donate Life America Registry. Already registered? Share the news with your friends and family that they can register their decision to be a donor in the #Walgreens app. Thank you to Walgreens for helping make life possible! #DonateLife You can also register your donation decision at DonateLifeTexas.org
- Tuesday, April 7 – Donate Life Swag
Visit the Donate Life Store to get some blue and green swag. There’s even swag for your pets!
- Wednesday, April 8 – Moment to Reflect
Take a moment to breathe, reflect or remember a loved one by visiting the virtual Donate Life America Tribute wall.
- Thursday, April 9 – Thankful Thursday
Send a thank-you note to a nurse, doctor or first responder. You can even send a note to organ and tissue recovery staff as they continue to save and heal lives! Email DLT at info@donatelifetexas.org – we would be happy to pass your thank-you along to the recovery organizations!
- Friday, April 10 – Donate Life Rocks!
Paint a rock in blue and green and include a #DonateLife message. Take a picture and share it with us by email at info@donatelifetexas.org or through our social media channels – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. Then, hide your rock in your neighborhood. Remember to practice #socialdistancing!
- Saturday, April 11 – Hug a Tree
Tie a blue and green ribbon around a tree and share it on social media. Remember to use the hashtag #DonateLifeTexas or #DoneVidaTexas!
- Sunday, April 12 – It’s Movie Night!
While you are practicing social distancing, have a movie night! The film A Question of Faith will air at 7:00 pm (CST) / 8:00 pm (ET) on Lifetime. Share with us a picture of you and your loved ones enjoying the movie! More information about the film is listed here.
Donate Life Texas will continue to honor donors, recipients, and their families and caregivers throughout the month of April. Along with recognizing the clinical teams who continue their dedicated work during this time to help honor the gift of donation and save the lives of those waiting for a second chance at life. We will also share positive stories. We do this out of respect and appreciation for the many people who want to talk about their experiences and inspire others to join the Donate Life Texas organ, eye, and tissue registry.
It is our hope these inspiring stories will help us all see our way through to the brighter days ahead: when this pandemic has been defeated, our lives can return to some semblance of normalcy and nobody here in Texas – or anywhere across the country – has to wait long to receive the lifesaving organ they need.
We wish you a Happy National Donate Life Month. Thank you for your efforts in educating about the cause of donation and the importance of registering your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor!
Check back weekly for updates!
Additional Resources:
- You can visit DLA’s website to download the official 2020 NDLM reference materials, social media graphics, web banners, and print materials – Click here!
- Read Donate Life America’s National Donate Life Month COVID-19 response.
