Tracy Copeland, President “I have truly been blessed with wonderful experiences and incredible personal recognition; however, the true heroes remain my donor family. I hope to honor them and the memory of my donor, Terry Snow, in every aspect of my life.” Since receiving her Liver Transplant in March of 1998, it has become Tracy’s mission and strongest desire to share her experience and accomplishments as a transplant recipient. Along with her sister, Judy, Tracy founded Sierra Nevada Donor Awareness (SNDA) in 2011. SNDA is a completely volunteer organization that seeks to raise awareness for organ and tissue donation and honor donors and donor families. “I am incredibly blessed to be a part of this organization and am thrilled that we have been able to provide financial support to people whose lives have been impacted by organ and/or tissue donation”.
Side by side with her Donor’s Mother, Kathy, they collectively share their experience, encouraging families and loved ones to discuss organ donation. Tracy has been overwhelmed by the support of the transplant community and the common desire they share to promote the need and success of organ and tissue donation.
“Thank you for your support of Sierra Nevada Donor Awareness and the DONOR WALK. You have been a wonderful part of our outreach and ability to help our transplant community”. - Tracy Copeland
Judy Price and Tracy Copland
Judy Price, Vice President Like many Americans, Judy has always had the PINK DOT on her drivers license. “I never really gave it a second thought about what it truly meant, until my introduction to the tremendous need for organ and tissue donors in 1998. It was then that my little sister Tracy’s liver failed.”
“Since that day, I have dedicated countless time and effort to raising awareness for the need and successful research of organ and tissue donation, not just for my sisters sake, but for the all too many that don’t have a champion in their corner, we all must do more!” - Judy Price
Judy is married raising two beautiful daughters, and two stepsons. She is the DMV Ambassador assigned to the Truckee and South Lake Tahoe DMV’s for Sierra Donor Services, and views her service as a privilege and an honor to work with an amazing group of heroes.
Lauren Martelle
Lauren Martelle, Director Recipient Lauren’s life was saved by receiving a liver transplant in 2007 when she was 19 years old. Her personal journey has inspired her deep commitment to organ donation advocacy. After experiencing firsthand the uncertainty and hope that comes along with organ transplant and donation, she now dedicates her time to raising awareness and supporting others on similar paths. As a Board Member of Sierra Nevada Donor Awareness, Lauren plays an active role in community education, donor recognition, and outreach initiatives. She shares her story to honor the selfless gift that gave her a second chance—and to help ensure more lives are saved through the power of donation.
Marlies Radtke
Marlies Radtke, Director Donor Family "My name is Marlies Radtke and I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors for the Sierra Nevada Donor Awareness organization as the Donor Family Representative. I became connected to this wonderful organization after I lost my son, Austin James Steele, who in 2017, became an organ, eye and tissue donor. While his passing was sudden and tragic, I honored his decision to give the gift of life through his donation and now honor his legacy by serving as a volunteer for the SNDA. Every September, please join me in attending our Donor Walk to honor those selfless individuals who have given the gift of life, compassionate living donors, gracious recipients and those individuals still waiting." - Marlies Radtke
Jeffrey Chao, Director Organ Procurement Organization Jeffrey Chao serves as Lean & Operational Excellence Director at Donor Network West, a federally designated organ procurement organization (OPO) serving Northern California and Nevada. In this role, he leads continuous improvement initiatives across the organization’s operational processes, using Lean methodologies to enhance efficiency, quality, and donor-family responsiveness. In addition to his professional work, Jeff serves as a board member of the Sierra Nevada Donor Awareness coalition. As a donor family member himself, he plays an active role in healthcare and community education—sharing the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation to save lives, restore health, and give hope.
Chris Connolly
Chris Connolly, Director Recipient / Recipient Family In 2022, Chris underwent a life-saving liver transplant—a turning point that marked both a physical and emotional transformation. Facing serious health challenges with resilience and hope, he emerged from the experience with a renewed perspective on life. Since the transplant, Chris has become an advocate for organ donation awareness and a source of inspiration to those navigating their own medical journeys. His story is one of strength, gratitude, and the power of second chances.
Susan, top row left, Susan’s daughter, Jessica, bottom row center
Susan Drossulis, Director Recipient / Recipient Family Susan is the mother Jessica, a liver transplant recipient. Susan has been with Sierra Nevada Donor Awareness from the beginning. She heads up the team that honors the donors at the walk with the donor garden, and special recognition.
Tammy Nichols, SNDA Volunteer "Within days after my liver transplant on October 26, 2011 I realize just how very blessed I am to have received this precious gift, a liver. With the tremendous need of organs and the amount available the odds and chances of me receiving a Liver very uncertain. I remember thinking to myself I want to do something to improve those chances for others in need of life-saving organ. I want to inspire others to become organ and tissue donors. Ease those with concerns about donation. Show others that there is hope and success in donation and encourage others to make a difference. Take every opportunity that I can for a very worthwhile cause." - Tammy Nichols
Lauren Martelle
Marlies Radtke
Chris Connolly
Susan, top row left, Susan’s daughter, Jessica, bottom row center