Donor Family Story – Tanner Denton

Tanner’s Rocky Mountain roots ran deep in his community. He loved spending time with his family, cheering on his favorite Colorado sports teams, and had a thirst for travel and adventure. Tanner may have been best known for his baseball skills, but he is remembered for his tremendously big heart. He was passionate about advocating for organ, eye and tissue donation, cared for people experiencing homelessness, and had a soft spot for rescue animals.

After passing away in a tragic car crash in 2016, Tanner’s legacy of helping others continued through donation. He saved the lives of two people through kidney donation and saved and healed more than 120 people through his tissue gifts.

In January 2023, Tanner was honored with a floragraph on the 2023 Donate Life Rose Parade float in Pasadena, California and represented Colorado and Wyoming on a national stage. His mother, Allison Vogel, shared his story to continue spreading awareness of the importance of donation and transplantation. To Tanner’s family, knowing how much he’s helped others through his lifesaving and healing gifts has given them strength.