The parents of Emily Keyes, who was killed by a gunman at Platte Canyon High School in Bailey, came to the state Capitol on Wednesday to testify in support of continued funding for organ and tissue donations.
Ellen and John Michael Keyes told a Senate committee that their 16-year-old daughter’s eyes, lower-body bones and soft tissue were donated after her death in September. Five months earlier, Emily and her twin brother, Casey, had signed up as donors when they applied for their Colorado driver’s licenses.
“We knew without hesitation what she wanted,” Ellen Keyes testified in front of the Health and Human Services Committee.
Other organs from Emily could not be used because her heart had stopped.
The Keyes were supporting state Sen. Peter Groff’s Senate Bill 37, which continues the Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Fund until July 1, 2018.
The fund is made up of voluntary contributions from people when they renew or obtain a Colorado driver’s license. Contributions last year totaled $326,400.
Groff’s bill passed through committee and will be considered by the full Senate.
“Currently there are nearly 2,000 people in Colorado waiting for a lifesaving transplant,” said Groff, a Denver Democrat. “One donor could save the lives of up to eight people. One tissue donor could enhance the lives of up to 100 people.”
To become a donor, Colorado residents may check “yes” when obtaining or renewing their driver’s license or ID card or go to coloradodonorregistry.org.
