This summer, Transplant Community Alliance (TCA) proudly joined thousands of donors, recipients, families, advocates, and members of the local Denver community for the 26th Annual Donor Dash, held on Sunday, July 20 in scenic Washington Park.  

 The event was a vibrant celebration of life, legacy, and the life-saving impact of organ donation. It brought together people from every corner of the transplant journey. Every step meant something, whether you were walking in tribute, celebrating a second chance, or just showing support. It was all about honoring donors, cheering on recipients, and spreading the word for those still waiting. For, TCA, it was more than a race. It was a day of connection, meaningful conversations, and a growing awareness across our community. Drawing from Denver’s successful model, TCA is excited to continue bringing that same spirit of unity, remembrance, and celebration to our local community.  

 Roots of the Dash 

The Denver Donor Dash began with modest beginnings. In 2001, a small group of passionate advocates, many personally touched by organ and tissue donation came together to create an event that would honor donors and raise awareness about the life-saving power of donation. Organized by Donor Alliance, the federally designated nonprofit responsible for organ procurement in Colorado and most of Wyoming, the inaugural Dash drew a few hundred participants. 

 Over the years, the Donor Dash grew steadily, becoming one of Colorado’s most meaningful summer traditions. Held annually in Washington Park, the event now draws thousands of participants from across the country. In 2025, nearly 5,000 people joined the Dash to walk, run, and celebrate the lives impacted by organ, tissue, and eye donation.  

 Meanwhile, on the East Coast, the Philadelphia Donor Dash, hosted by Gift of Life has been a cornerstone event since 1996, held each spring at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. In 2025, the Dash celebrated its 28th year with a record-breaking 16,000 attendees. While Denver and Philadelphia’s Donor Dash events are among the most recognized and well-established in the country, similar runs and walks take place in communities nationwide. Each Dash reflects the heart of its local community—its stories, its heroes, its hopes—while amplifying a shared message that unites them all: donation saves lives. 

 According to the January 2025 report from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), organ donation reached unprecedented levels in 2024, marking a year of incredible impact. A total of 48,149 lives were saved through transplants, thanks to the generosity of 16,988 deceased donors and 7,030 living donors who stepped up to give the gift of life. That’s 132 people receiving a second chance every single day. 

 Arizona’s Own Donor Dash  

Transplant Community Alliance is preparing for its very own celebration: the 6th Annual Donor Dash, taking place on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Kiwanis Park in Tempe, AZ. This community-focused event offers a range of activities designed to engage participants of all ages and abilities, while supporting a meaningful cause. Proceeds from the Donor Dash benefit the Living Assistance Fund, which provides financial support to transplant recipients for essential needs such as housing, transportation, prescriptions, and other medical expenses. 

 Event Highlights Include: 

  • 10K, 5K, and 1K Fun Run/Walk options 
  • Hero Buttons and Honorary Signs displayed along the race path 
  • Vendor Village and Silent Auction  
  • A dedicated Kids Zone featuring games, crafts, and interactive activities 
  • Opportunities to recognize donor families, recipients, and community partners 

 Whether you’re running to celebrate your transplant journey, walking in memory of a loved one, or cheering from the sidelines, your part of a movement that uplifts lives and strengthens the transplant community. The Donor Dash is part of a broader national effort to raise awareness about organ donation and support those affected by transplantation.  

 To register, donate, or become a sponsor, visit https://raceroster.com/events/2025/106867/donor-dash-10k-5k-1k-family-fun-run . Your support helps transplant recipients thrive and ensures that donor legacies are honored in ways that ripple across generations.