Last April, we ran a cover story featuring Curtis Swift, a man who’s well known in the Grand Valley for helping thousands of gardeners as a CSU Extension horticulture expert. 

But this story wasn’t about gardening advice—it was a plea for help, as Curtis is in dire need of a living kidney donation. 

A year has passed and Curtis is still without a healthy kidney. His health has declined, and he is in desperate need of an O+ blood type donor. There was hope when his son offered to give him one of his kidneys, but unfortunately, he wasn’t a blood type match.

If you are in a position to be a living kidney donor, please consider donating to Curtis. 

Operating with one kidney doesn’t alter life expectancy, nor does it appear to increase the risk of kidney failure. If a donor for some reason needs a kidney later in life, they jump to the top of the list for a transplant. 

To learn more about how you can help, please email Curtis at [email protected] or Kate Keaney at [email protected]. 

Check out these rock star volunteers

When I started working at BEACON Senior News, one of my first big projects was Volunteer of the Year. There’s no telling how long this celebration of local volunteers had been going on before I started, but just in my tenure, I’ve read about and met well over 100 remarkable volunteers. 

I’m not here to endorse anyone (with so many fabulous people nominated, how could I?), but I am consistently in awe of these noble and generous seniors living right here in Western Colorado. This year, we have one nominated volunteer who’s 100 years old (again, not endorsing, but wow!)

Each of the volunteers featured has graciously gone above and beyond to support other people or four-legged companions, furthering the mission of the organizations that do so much good in the community.

We need your help!

Join us in honoring these exceptional volunteers at Grand Junction BeaconFest on Thursday, April 20. All nominated volunteers will be recognized at the stage at 1 p.m., but only one can be named Volunteer of the Year—so we need your help!

Read about each of this year’s 12 nominated volunteers and follow the instructions on how to cast your vote. 

You’re invited to Colorado’s FUNNEST senior expo

Get ready for an exciting lineup of entertainment, educational seminars, prize giveaways and more when BeaconFest returns to Grand Junction Convention Center from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thursday, April 20. 

Between exciting raffles, peruse nearly 100 booths staffed by health care providers, housing representatives, advocacy organizations, home improvement experts, real estate professionals, financial advisors, local clubs, nonprofit organizations and more. 

Plus, admission is FREE! For details, visit BeaconFest.BeaconSeniorNews.com.