They are mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, colleagues, friends, neighbors, and even the stranger who smiles at you as you stand in line at the grocery store. They are the 865 Fresno men, women, and children who, since December 2008, have been on the National Organ Transplant’s waiting list with hopes of one day hearing the good news – “we found a match.”

According to Donate Life California’s Web site, every year, approximately 6,000 people die waiting for an organ transplant. While an organ donor (an individual who donates kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas and small intestine) can save up to eight lives, a tissue donor (individual who donates corneas/eyes, heart valves, skin, bone, tendons, cartilage, and veins) can help improve the lives of 50 others.

Three of our Board Commissioners and a previous assistant executive director know first hand what the generosity of their loved ones or a complete stranger means – a chance to live. Commissioners Esther Padilla and Peter Vang received kidneys from living donors; Ms. Padilla from her daughter and Mr. Vang from his brother. Reverend Paul McCoy and former Assistant Executive Director Paul White, on the other hand, benefited from a stranger’s generosity; both received kidneys from a deceased donor.