Carson Tahoe Health, in partnership with Donor Network West, honored National Donate Life Month with a flag-raising ceremony at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center on Thursday, April 9. The event brought together staff, community members, and partners to recognize the critical, life-saving work of organ and tissue donation.
The Donate Life flag will remain raised throughout the month of April as a symbol of hope, generosity, and the lasting legacy of donors and their families.
Observed each April, National Donate Life Month is a time to raise awareness about the critical need for organ, eye, and tissue donation, while honoring those who have given the gift of life. This year’s theme, “Leave a Legacy,” reflects the profound and lasting impact one decision can make — connecting donors, recipients, and families in a shared story of hope.
During the ceremony, speakers from Carson Tahoe Health, Donor Network West, and the Donate Life Ambassador program shared powerful reflections on the importance of donation and the lives forever changed through these generous acts.
Currently, approximately 700 Nevadans are waiting for a life-saving transplant, with more than 100,000 individuals on the national transplant waiting list. Each day, 17 people pass away while waiting. One organ donor has the potential to save up to eight lives and impact more than 75 others through tissue donation.
“This ceremony was a meaningful reminder of the impact one person can have,” said Michelle Joy, President and CEO of Carson Tahoe Health. “At Carson Tahoe, we are honored to support this life-saving work and to stand alongside our community in raising awareness and encouraging others to consider becoming donors.”
“For many, the need of organ donation is personal- someone’s sister, son, father, or friend is waiting for a second chance at life,” said Janice Whaley, Ph.D., president and CEO of Donor Network West. “Through collaboration with our hospital partner, Carson Tahoe Health, we are able to raise awareness, educate communities, and bring hope to patients and families facing unimaginable loss and challenges.”
Carson Tahoe Health continues to partner with Donor Network West to educate the community, support donor families, and inspire individuals to register as organ and tissue donors.
Throughout April, the Donate Life flag will serve as a visible reminder of the importance of donation and the lives that can be saved through one selfless decision.
To learn more about Carson Tahoe Health, visit www.carsontahoe.com. For more information about organ and tissue donation or to register, visit www.donornetworkwest.org
About Carson Tahoe Health
Carson Tahoe Health is an independent, not-for-profit, community-based healthcare system that has served Northern Nevada’s Quad County region since 1949. What began as a single hospital has grown into a fully integrated system with 203 licensed acute care beds, two urgent care centers, hospital-based emergency care, a freestanding Emergent Care Center, and an extensive provider network. An affiliate of University of Utah Health, Carson Tahoe delivers advanced specialty care while keeping patients close to home. The Carson Tahoe Cancer Center, affiliated with Huntsman Cancer Institute, provides comprehensive cancer services. Carson Tahoe also leads innovative behavioral health programs for adults and youth and is recognized as one of the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Top Workplaces in Nevada in 2025 and one of USA Today’s Top Workplaces in the nation in 2026.
About Donor Network West
Donor Network West saves and heals lives by facilitating organ, eye and tissue recovery for transplantation and research. Established in 1987, Donor Network West is designated and certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), is a member of the Organ Donation Alliance and is an official Donate Life organization. Donor Network West is federally designated to serve 45 counties in northern California and northern Nevada, Donor Network West partners with the Department of Motor Vehicles and the state-authorized donor registries to help increase donor registration. For information, visit www.DonorNetworkWest.org and follow us on social media: IG @mydnwest.
