This Valentine’s Day, Also Known as Donor Day, Consider Having a Heart Conversation with Your Loved Ones

Often, we go through the process of obtaining our driver license or state ID and registering as an eye, organ, and tissue donor without giving it much thought. In our two-state region of Colorado and Wyoming, we can sign up for the donor registry at our local driver license offices.

When we receive our driver’s license or state ID in the mail, it features a specific symbol: a black heart with a white 'Y' inside. This symbol indicates that we have consented to be a donor of our eyes, organs, and tissues after our death. By making this decision, we have chosen to help others in need and to give part of ourselves in hopes of saving and healing lives.

Before The Trip to the Driver License Office 

The Vickers family was prepared for the donation question when their daughter Morgan was about to apply for her driving permit. They knew she would be asked if she wanted to sign up as an eye, organ, and tissue donor. Leslie, Morgan's mom, shared that she and her husband had previously agreed to be donors because they believed it was important to help others when possible. Despite suffering from over 40 diagnoses that led to terminal illness starting at age 10, her health challenges did not deter her. When Morgan faced this decision, she was more aware than most teens her age of issues surrounding life and death due to her health concerns. With conviction, she replied, "Absolutely, I want to be a donor too!" Morgan's choice was entirely her own from the very beginning.

After the Trip to the Driver License Office

Morgan was a fierce fighter, fashion blogger, and avid Taylor Swift fan who cared deeply for others. Morgan lived her life to the fullest and graduated with a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration from Colorado State University. During her downtime, friends and family often teased her about her complicated Starbucks orders and the numerous cups she had collected. 

As Morgan's health deteriorated and the Vickers family understood she was nearing the end of her life, the spiritual healthcare team at Saint Joseph Hospital provided support. Morgan began to ask questions about the possibility of donating her eyes to someone in need, as she wanted to help others even after she passed away. 

Morgan thought of a special friend who had an eye condition and wondered if her friend could receive her eye tissue donation. She had many questions, and one night while standing in the hospital parking garage, Leslie reached out to the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank (RMLEB) for guidance.

What’s Next? Eye Tissue Donation Leads to Legacy

“She was a passionate reader. She loved music. She loved her education. And just really woke up every day with a goal - what was going to be next? And in the middle of all that, you would have never known she was so ill. She was just a lovely human to be around.” Leslie said of her late daughter Morgan.

Leslie recognized that her daughter’s situation was unique. She understood that Morgan was a remarkable young lady, and her determination to help others and be a good person should not be overlooked. A clinical supervisor at RMLEB quickly grasped the rarity of Morgan’s case. Leslie’s questions were answered, and even though her friend’s eye condition could not be treated with a cornea donation, there was the possibility for Morgan to become an eye tissue donor after she died. 

“Mom, this just means someone else is meant to have my eyes,” Morgan said when she learned she could not help her friend but could potentially be an eye donor and restore sight for another after she died.

Photo caption: Morgan Vickers, eye tissue donor. Photos provided by mother, Leslie Vickers

Morgan passed away a few days before Christmas in 2023 at the age of 28. Known for her compassionate nature and fighting spirit, she had made the decision to be an eye, organ, and tissue donor. As a result of her generous donation and being a good person, two individuals have been given the gift of restored sight. Morgan’s legacy will continue to live on through her selflessness.

Leslie recommends families and friends bring the subject of eye, organ, and tissue donation up early on. “We had the luxury – and I mean that – truly of time to process and to walk through this. And I would just encourage people to bring the subject up and talk about it around driver license, around somebody else who’s been impacted, around reading stories like Morgan’s. The most important thing is to talk about it early because not all instances allow for that. Express your wishes and let people know so they can fulfill your wishes which ultimately is a last step of love for them.”

National Donor Day, February 14th, is a day dedicated to sharing the love and spreading awareness about eye, organ, and tissue donation. Consider setting aside time to share your donation decision with your family and loved ones. Have a truly meaningful heart conversation on Valentine’s Day!

Photo caption: In the above video, Leslie Vickers shares more about her daughter Morgan's donation legacy and how she decided to be an eye tissue donor from a young age.