Wyoming's 'Check the Box' Campaign Taps Local Heroes to Save Lives

CASPER, Wyo. – April 20, 2026 – A new campaign featuring familiar faces from the University of Wyoming is asking residents to "Think Inside the Box" when they visit a Driver Services office. Donor Alliance, the non-profit organization facilitating organ and tissue donation in the region, has officially expanded its "Check the Box" initiative into Wyoming, aiming to inspire more residents to make a life-saving decision.

The campaign, which coincides with National Donate Life Month, leverages a powerful partnership with the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) and the influence of local college athletes to address a quiet but critical need. While nearly 60% of eligible Wyomingites are already registered donors—one of the highest rates in the nation—nearly 100 of their neighbors remain on a waiting list for a life-saving transplant.

A Critical Need in the Cowboy State

Despite Wyoming's impressive donor registration rate of 58.4%, which significantly surpasses the national average, a persistent gap remains. Across Wyoming and Colorado, the area served by Donor Alliance, nearly 1,300 people are currently waiting for an organ. The vast majority of those, about 84%, are in desperate need of a kidney, while another 10% await a liver. For these individuals, the wait can stretch from months to five years or even longer, a period filled with uncertainty and deteriorating health.

The "Check the Box" campaign aims to close this gap by reminding residents of the profound impact of their decision. "That strength, compassion, and willingness to show up for a neighbor, that’s exactly what checking the box ‘yes’ represents," said Jennifer Prinz, president and CEO, Donor Alliance, in a recent statement. “Right now, nearly 100 Wyomingites are waiting for a lifesaving transplant. One simple decision can give them hope.”

The initiative brings a refreshed look to materials at WYDOT locations, all under the organization's "Rocky Mountain Strong" brand concept, designed to resonate with the resilient and community-focused spirit of the state.

The Power of a Proven Partnership

The campaign's focus on WYDOT Driver Services locations is highly strategic. In both Wyoming and Colorado, these offices are the frontline for donor registration, accounting for over 90% of all sign-ups. The partnership between Donor Alliance and WYDOT has been a long-standing and crucial element in achieving the state's high registration rates.

"Organ donation is a selfless act that can give a family something priceless: more precious time with their loved one," stated WYDOT Director Darin Westby. "WYDOT is proud to support this cause, and we hope Wyoming drivers consider registering as donors next time they visit with us at Driver Services."

The campaign's tagline, "Think Inside the Box," is a direct nod to the simple checkbox on driver's license and ID applications. This simple action is often the most significant touchpoint the public has with the organ donation system. To further promote awareness, Wyoming also offers a "Donate Life" specialty license plate, a program that gained legislative traction thanks to the powerful advocacy of families like the Quinneys, whose son Bryson was a heart transplant recipient. This long history of collaboration underscores the deep integration of donor advocacy within state services.

Local Heroes Championing a Lifesaving Cause

To connect with Wyomingites on a personal level, the "Check the Box" campaign features some of the state's most recognizable young figures: University of Wyoming athletes. Embodying the "Code of the West"—a spirit of honor, respect, and helping those in need—these student-athletes are lending their voices to the cause.

Campaign materials feature athletes like "Will," a wide receiver for the UW Cowboys, and "Reagan," an All-Star student-athlete, both of whom are registered donors. By using these prominent local voices, Donor Alliance aims to make the message of donation relatable and inspiring, particularly to a younger demographic. Their participation reinforces the idea that being a donor is an act of strength and community pride, aligning perfectly with the "Rocky Mountain Strong" theme.

Throughout April, Donor Alliance is hosting events at WYDOT offices across the state to celebrate the new campaign and honor the Driver Services employees who are essential partners in this life-saving work every day.

One Checkmark, A Lifetime of Difference

Behind the statistics and campaign slogans are the profound human stories of those whose lives have been transformed by organ donation. Stories like that of Rhonda Hill from Douglas, who received a life-saving kidney and pancreas transplant decades ago, illustrate the long-term impact of a stranger's generosity. Now a passionate advocate, Hill’s journey is a testament to the second chances that donation provides.

Wyoming is also home to heart recipient Jason from Casper and double lung recipient Cayde from Cheyenne, each with a unique story of struggle and survival made possible by a donor. The campaign emphasizes that a single donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and heal as many as 75 more through tissue donation.

For the nearly 100 people in Wyoming currently on the waiting list, each new registration is more than just a statistic; it is a glimmer of hope. It represents the possibility of returning to work, celebrating another birthday, or simply spending more precious time with family. The "Check the Box" campaign serves as a powerful reminder that the decision made in a few seconds at a WYDOT counter can echo for a lifetime, providing the ultimate gift to a neighbor in need.