National Donate Life Month (NDLM) was established in 2003 by Donate Life America and its partner organizations. Each April, communities across the country come together to raise awareness about organ, eye, and tissue donation, encourage donor registration, and honor the heroes whose generosity has saved lives. This year’s theme highlights trees as a symbol of life and connection. Just like trees grow and support one another in a forest, donation connects people in extraordinary ways. Donors, recipients, families, and caregivers…

At Donate Life Kentucky Trust, we respect your decision about registering as a donor and want to help ensure your decision is updated. Fastest Way: Update or Remove Online Do not know your ZIP code from when you first registered? This is very common. Try your current ZIP code.If that does not work, try a ZIP code from a place you lived before. Still stuck? We can help. Contact us! 4. Once you are in, you can update your address,…

A Walk Supporting Donate Life Kentucky On Sunday, October 11, 2026, we invite you to join us for Every Life Remembered – a meaningful walk honoring organ, eye, and tissue donors, celebrating transplant recipients, and supporting the families and caregivers who make this lifesaving mission possible. This is more than a walk. It is a moment to come together as a community to reflect, to honor, and to carry forward the stories that connect us all. 💙 Honoring Donor Heroes…

Let’s be honest.Talking about what happens after we die can feel… not awesome. Most people imagine the conversation starting with something dramatic like, “Okay, if something ever happens to me…” and suddenly everyone is uncomfortable, someone grabs their phone, and the subject changes. But it doesn’t have to be like that. In reality, the conversation about organ donation can be simple, quick, and even a little lighthearted. The most important thing is that your family knows your wishes. If you’ve…

March is National Kidney Month. It is a time to focus on kidney health, early detection, and the life saving power of transplantation. At Donate Life Kentucky, we support kidney patients at every stage. Our work focuses on prevention, early detection, transplant education, and patient support after transplant. Early Detection and Prevention Through our Kidney Health Screening Program, we have brought over 500 free kidney health screenings to communities across Kentucky. These simple tests help identify early signs of kidney…

This article was inspired by PanCAN’s Nicolas Clifford ‘s article Taboo Topics: When Cold, Dark Days Get You Down – Pancreatic Cancer Action Network It can happen at any stage of the transplant journey. Waiting for a life-saving call. Recovering from surgery. Adjusting to medications, appointments, and a “new normal.” For many patients and families, transplant brings hope, but also stress, uncertainty, and emotions that can feel difficult to name. If any of this feels familiar, you are not alone.…

Nearly 16 years ago, Shelley Snyder accepted what she once described as her dream job: leading Donate Life Kentucky Trust. It was a role shaped not just by professional ambition, but by personal experience. From an early age, Shelley saw the impact of donation firsthand. Her father became a donor in 2001, and her mother received the gift of life through tissue donation years later. Those experiences quietly shaped her understanding of what donation means for families, and ultimately guided…

The Law Behind Donation: What Is the UAGA? Organ, eye, and tissue donation in the United States is guided by the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA). It may sound technical, but its purpose is simple. This law has been in place for decades and continues to guide how donation works today. The U.S. System Is “Opt-In” – What That Means In the United States, donation is not automatic. You are only included in a donor registry if you choose to…

National Donor Day is a special time to honor the incredible generosity of organ, eye, and tissue donors. Their decision to give creates second chances, restores health, and brings hope to families when they need it most. Today is about celebrating that love – and helping it grow. If you’re wondering how to take part, here are meaningful ways to share the love on National Donor Day and beyond. 1. Post and Share on Social Media Here are graphics to…

At Donate Life Kentucky Trust, we believe the strongest education happens when people truly connect to the story. We licensed Heart of the Motor for use in Kentucky schools so students across the Commonwealth can learn about organ donation in a way that feels real, relevant, and engaging. Instead of a traditional lecture or PowerPoint, we meet students where they are through authentic storytelling that stays with them long after the bell rings. We are deeply thankful for the contributors…