Heroes don’t always wear capes — sometimes they just register as an organ donor.

Chris Klug Foundation Executive Director Jessi Rochel knows all too well how much registering as an organ donor can mean for someone who is on the transplant waitlist.

Rochel’s father, Rich, received a heart transplant in 2015. So when an opportunity arose in 2022 for Rochel to work at the Chris Klug Foundation, an Aspen-based national nonprofit that promotes eye, tissue and organ donation, she felt called to it.

“When (the Chris Klug Foundation) posted this position, it spoke to me because it was a mission I could get behind and talk to people about because it was so life changing for our family,” Rochel said. “We’ve had 10 extra years with my dad that we might not have had if another family had not heroically said yes and supported their loved ones’ decision (to be an organ donor).”

Rochel, who’s also an avid marathoner, will be running for the Chris Klug Foundation at Australia’s TCS Sydney Marathon in August. As part of her fundraising efforts, she organized a trivia bingo night slated for 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 16 at Carbondale Beer Works, 647 Main St. in Carbondale.

Bingo-goers can buy a card for $1 each and prize giveaway tickets for $5 each, or $20 for five, starting at 6:30 p.m. There will be at least four rounds of bingo and goodies like Chris Klug ski goggle socks, blankets and t-shirts will be given away to prize ticket purchasers throughout the night.

Each bingo card includes facts about organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation.

“Organ and tissue donation is very important and we pride ourselves on working really hard to get the correct information out there, especially these days with how fast things get spread on social media. There’s a lot of misinformation,” Rochel said. “Our goal is to reach as many people as possible with the facts so the correct information is being shared as we educate and inspire people to learn more, to get registered, to talk with their families.”

While 95% of Americans say they support organ donation, only 48% actually register as donors, according to the foundation. In Colorado, 67% of state residents are registered organ donors.

Events like Wednesday’s trivia bingo can help discussions about donation and transplantation become household conversations.

“A lot of people don’t talk about donation and transplantation outside of either signing up at the DMV when they’re asked or unless a family is affected by it,” Rochel said. “That’s a terrible time to have it be the first time it comes up, when you’re possibly experiencing the very worst moment that you could possibly imagine and having to make a really hard decision.

“But if you already know your families’ or friends’ or significant other’s wishes, that becomes a much easier process and a way to honor their life and legacy,” she added.

While 17 people die every day waiting for a transplant, one organ donor can save up to eight lives, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration.

“It’s important to share your decision and know their decision, and it’s just important to talk about it,” Rochel said. It’s hard to talk about because nobody likes to talk about death and mortality, but there is life in it too.

“There’s a lot of beauty in the tragedy,” she added. “It can really make a difference in a dark time because you’re providing a second chance at life for somebody else and for somebody else’s family and friends.”

Go to donatelifecolorado.org to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor.