Calendar of Events / Observances

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January: Rose Bowl Parade

Beginning in 2004, the National Coalition on Donation has been invited to participate in the Rose Bowl Parade by building a float that celebrates organ and tissue donation.

January: National Volunteer Blood Donor Month

A time to highlight the importance of giving life through the donation of blood and to honor past and present donors and encourage new ones. The theme, Give Blood ...The Gift of Life, is as constant, as the need for blood.

February 14: National Donor Day

Focused on five points of life: organs, tissues, marrow, platelets, and blood. Many nonprofit health organizations sponsor blood and marrow drives and organ/tissue donor card signings across the Nation. Initiated by the Saturn Cooperation and its United Auto Worker partners. National Donor Day. (exit DHFS)

March: Eye Donor Month

A time to honor and celebrate those who have become corneal donors and to urge all citizens to consider giving the gift of sight. 

April: Donate Life Month

A time to build awareness of the ever present and growing need for organ, tissue, blood and bone marrow donors.

August 1: National Minority Donor Awareness Day

Awareness campaign focuses on obstacles related to minorities and donation, promotes healthy living and disease prevention to decrease the need for transplantation and reaches out to all ethnic groups. Observances have included prayer breakfasts, health walks, and donor drives. Sponsored by the National Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program. (exit DHFS)

November: National Marrow Awareness Month

A special nationwide effort to recruit volunteer marrow, blood stem cell, and umbilical cord blood donors and to increase patient awareness of the option of unrelated transplantation. Marrow Donation. (exit DHFS)

November, Two Weekends Before Thanksgiving: National Donor Sabbath

Faith communities across the country focus on the critical need for organs, tissues, marrow, and blood, and their life-enhancing capabilities. Faith leaders participate in discussions of donation with their congregants, and faith communities sponsor donation awareness activities during this 3-day celebration of life. 

Alternating odd-numbered years: National Donor Recognition Ceremony & Workshop

Donors and their families from across the country are honored in the Nation's Capital by the Federal government and the transplant community for giving the Gift of Life. Includes Saturday workshops and a donor recognition ceremony on Sunday.

Alternating even-numbered years: U.S. Transplant Games

Olympic-style athletic events for transplant recipients celebrate the life-enabling gifts given by organ and tissue donors. Organized by the National Kidney Foundation. Medals are awarded to recipient winners, and to living donors and donor family members at separate recognition ceremonies. The Transplant Games illustrate that transplantation works to extend and enhance life. Transplant Games. (exit DHFS)