Normally, we don’t promote local fun runs or charity events. There are just so many worthy causes, it would be overwhelming. However, there’s an upcoming event that is near and dear to us at MHOTC because of our connection to Children’s Hospital Colorado — Donor Dash. Held on Sunday, July 21 at Wash Park at 8 a.m., Donor Dash is a 5K run/walk hosted by Donor Alliance, the federally designated non-profit organization that facilitates organ and tissue donation in Colorado and most of Wyoming.
Donor Dash /photo by Evan Semón
As the mountain west’s largest donation and transplantation-related event, the event brings together people of all ages to honor the lives of organ, eye and tissue donors, celebrate the lives of organ, eye and tissue recipients, as well as recognize those who continue to wait for a lifesaving transplant. Currently, nearly 2,000 people right here in Colorado are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.
In addition to the run/walk, Donor Dash features live entertainment, giveaways, exhibitors with tons of FREE samples and goodies, a large Children’s Hospital Colorado play area and even a Diaper Dash for kids 3 years old and under. This is a joyous event and you won’t find a friendlier crowd of people. You may even get a bit teary at the end, when everyone participates in a memorial balloon release.
Mile High On The Cheap has been a part of this event for more than five years. Through the Children’s Hospital Colorado kids area, MHOTC has participated by sponsoring the Treasure Chest (yep, a real chest festooned with jewels) booth.
Here, every child who is participating in the event or attends with a registered participant gets his or her choice of a FREE toy — from jump ropes and Hot Wheels to puzzles and water pistols. The Children’s Hospital space also features nail art, crafts, a magician, other fun activities, popcorn, snack table and a dedicated area (the “VIP” — Very Important Pooch area) for dogs sponsored by Chewy’s Bonetique.
Bryan and Laura have volunteered at the event, with Bryan usually found behind the popcorn machine (he’s one of the few who knows how to make it pop!) and Laura being her bossy self directing folks around the massive area or helping pass out snacks.
Donor Dash has grown from 100 participants in 2000 to more than 6,000 in 2018. This year marks the 20th anniversary for the event which isn’t a fundraiser, but all about raising organ donation awareness. Consider this, at the time of their death, just one donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and save and heal more than 75 lives through eye and tissue donation.
We know how important organ donation can be. Laura has friends who have been helped by a transplant and Bryan worked closely with Donor Alliance, during his years at the Colorado Marrow Donor Program.
We’d love to see you at this year’s event. It may not be the cheapest thing to do on July 21, but it may just be the most rewarding.
Hopefully, you’ll find Laura at the Snack Table, in the Children’s Hospital Colorado area (which is hard to miss, trust us). Stop by and say hello!
Registration prices are:
Adult: $35 online, $40 on race day
Senior (60 and older): $15 online, $20 on race day
Youth (17 and younger): , $15 online, $20 on race day
You can register online here through 6 p.m. on July 19.
Here’s the schedule of events:
7 a.m. — Race Day Registration/Packet Pickup
8 a.m. — 5K Runners Start/Expo area opens
8:05 a.m. — 5K Walkers Start
9:15 a.m. — Diaper Dash in the Expo Area for ages 3 and younger. Free event, registration is required (no shirt).
9:30 a.m. — Program Begins at Stage
10 a.m. — Program Conclusion