The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division and its partner, Donate Life Arizona, are celebrating National Donate Life Month in April. 

This year we are highlighting the big impact of such an insignificant decision, like electing to be a donor can have. 

“I remember falling asleep one night and waking up about two days later finding out I had been medevaced to Denver, Colorado,” says Kenny Hanson, a liver recipient. “When I woke up, I was in stage 4 liver failure.” 

Hanson’s sister, Kari Webb, works at the Bullhead City MVD location. So she has asked a simple question hundreds of times, “Do you want to register as a donor?” Now, that question has a personal meaning to her, knowing the selfless decision to be a donor saved her own brother.

“My brother spent the entire year of 2020 dying. He just kept getting worse,” Webb says. “We just hoped and prayed he would make it until an organ was made available.”

That box on the driver’s license or state ID application is so small — and often people make the decision in just a few seconds — yet the implications are huge. More than 95% of new donor registrations in Arizona come through the MVD. Each decision to check the box as an organ, eye and tissue donor can possibly save eight lives and heal 75 more.

Just three short months after Hanson received his lifesaving transplant, with newfound energy to savor life, he went back to work as a diesel mechanic on 18-wheeler trucks. And like many of those given a second chance, he prioritizes his personal relationships, especially with his children. 

“Being able to see them and grab them and throw them in the air again. I hadn’t been able to do that for about two years with everything going on,” Hanson says. “All my doctors said, ‘slow down,’ but … I just wanted to sit up and take advantage of everything.”

And now, Webb remembers her brother’s story and is even more motivated and inspired by the quick and simple question. “Do you want to register as a donor?”

For nearly two decades, ADOT MVD and Donor Network of Arizona have partnered to educate people about organ, eye and tissue donation and make it easy to register. Today, more than 4 million Arizonans are registered donors. 

Visit DonateLifeAZ.org to learn more about organ and tissue donation and register as a donor.

After nearly 10 years, it was time for the Arizona driver license to get a new look. While the new design is better looking and includes more images that represent Arizona, the best part of the card is that it incorporates more security features. These features will help reduce the ability of counterfeit copies and fraudulent uses.

The new driver license and ID cards are now available and made from 100% polycarbonate material fused together to form a solid structure extremely difficult to alter. This material is also more durable, allowing for extended card life. The first thing people may notice will be the photos are black and white. This is done with laser engraving to make altering photos difficult. 

Depending on the angle the card is held, you will be able to see either a Saguaro cactus or a Ponderosa Pine Tree. This feature will help authenticate the card when presented to law enforcement or at restaurants, grocery stores and other required establishments.

The new design, highlighting several Arizona locations, is a result of a new contract. The previous contract was expiring, and Thales Group was selected as the new vendor to produce these cards because of the ability to provide these latest security features.

The new cards are available for both the Travel ID and the standard ID. A vertical version of the card will be issued to those under 21. 

If anyone wishes to update their current card to the new design, they can request a duplicate and receive the new security features. However, the current card design will remain valid until the expiration date listed on the card. 

The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is happy to celebrate Feb. 14 each year. Not only is it Arizona’s birthday and Valentine's Day, it is also National Donor Day. This year we are celebrating the amazing story of three very special heart recipients. 

Jason Sr. and Sara Siqueiros, and their three children, Jaxon, Isabel and Jason Jr., have overcome incredible obstacles just to live. Born with the same life-threatening heart condition called restrictive cardiomyopathy, all three would require a heart transplant to survive. Faced with a long and uncertain road ahead, the family never gave up hope. 

With the help of dedicated doctors and other medical professionals, as well as generous strangers choosing to pass on their gifts of life, each child received a successful heart transplant between 2019 and 2020 and are now living happy and healthy lives. 

"Not one, not two, but three hearts, and I am forever grateful,” Sara says. “I’m just eternally in debt to these [donor] families, and I hope to get to meet at least one of them some day.” 

Isabel is an amazing artist and scholar who loves school and all animals. The twins love to play and watch football, basketball and wrestling. The entire family, grateful for the second chance at life, are advocating for organ, eye and tissue donation. They often participate in local events to educate others and raise funds for transplant organizations. 

“Going forward, we will continue to appreciate our lives,” Sara says, holding back tears. “We wake up every day so grateful. My children know they have special hearts. I want them growing up grateful and always remembering they are alive because of a donor.” 

Despite the health challenges they still face, the Siqueiros family remains positive. They shine as an example of resilience and the impact that organ donation can have on someone's life. Donate Life Arizona hopes everyone takes a moment to ponder their own power to save lives. The joyful faces of Isabel, Jaxon and Jason demonstrate the importance of giving back to others in the most selfless way.  

“My children know that their hearts beat for two,” Sara says. “The donor families saved my whole family and me.”  

For nearly two decades, ADOT MVD and Donor Network of Arizona have partnered to educate people about organ, eye and tissue donation and make it easy to register. Today, more than 4 million Arizonans are registered donors and about 95% of donor registrations occur when a person applies for or renews their Arizona driver license or state ID card.

Visit DonateLifeAZ.org to learn more about organ and tissue donation and register as a donor.