Donor Network West Lights the Reno Arch Blue and Green for the Month of April to Raise Awareness of Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation
April 2, 2026 (RENO, Nev.) – Donor Network West gathered northern Nevada community leaders, partners and ambassadors to turn more than 2,000 lightbulbs on the Reno Arch blue and green for the entire month of April in recognition of National Donate Life Month. The event raises awareness of the life-saving impact of organ, eye and tissue donation.
Marking its sixth annual ceremonial lighting at the Reno Arch, the Donor Network West event paid tribute to northern Nevada’s organ donors and their families, and served as a call to action for others to register as organ donors.
“Nearly 700 Nevadans await life-saving organ donations, and they’re at the heart of why we gather together each year under the Arch––to offer them hope while honoring the incredible generosity of those who have given the gift of life,” said Corina Clark, chief operating officer of Donor Network West. “Along with our community outreach initiatives held year-round, Donate Life Month helps spark important conversations and encourages more people to say yes to registering as an organ donor.”
Reno resident Lauren Martelle spoke during the program, sharing her story of receiving her liver transplant at just 19 years old.
“I am here today because in the midst of unimaginable loss, my donor’s family chose to give life to someone they’d never met,” said Martelle. “I don’t know who they are, but I carry them with me every day.”
Donor Network West also presented the 2026 Outstanding Community Partner Award to Sierra Nevada Donor Awareness for the organization’s work championing organ, eye and tissue donation in northern Nevada.
The northern Nevada community is encouraged to recognize National Donate Life Month throughout April by taking part in the following activities:
- Learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation at DonorNetworkWest.org
- Register as an organ donor at the DMV or online at DonorNetworkWest.org
- Join celebrations and observances throughout April, including:
- Sunday, April 5 – Sunday, April 12: Donate Life Blue & Green Spirit Week
- Wednesday, April 15: DMV Appreciation Day
- Thursday, April 30: Donor Remembrance Day
- Additional observances are listed on the downloadable Donate Life Month calendar
- Share information with your loved ones, friends and communities about the impact of organ, eye and tissue donation using Donor Network West’s shareables kit including social media posts, graphics and more.
The need for organ donation continues to grow. Every eight minutes, another person is added to the national organ transplant waiting list in the U.S. Donor Network West, the only federally-designated organ procurement organization serving northern Nevada, is committed to providing community education throughout Donate Life Month and year-round to encourage individuals to join the organ donor registry and give hope to those on the national transplant waiting list.
For more information or to register as an organ donor, visit DonorNetworkWest.org.
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Media note: Visuals of Donor Network West’s 2026 Reno Arch Lighting event are available for download here.
About Donor Network West
Donor Network West saves and heals lives by facilitating organ 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: @mydnwest.