For 23 years, Luis Mayan has worked at Donor Network West in San Ramon, the nonprofit responsible for connecting organ donors with recipients across Northern California. His work has given him a firsthand look at the life-saving impact of organ donation, witnessing both the joy of successful transplants and the heartbreak of those still waiting. Inspired by these experiences, Luis knew he wanted to donate one of his kidneys—but he was advised to wait due to his young age and a family history of diabetes.
As years passed, the names on the transplant list weighed heavily on him. Now married to a wife with type 1 diabetes—who, fortunately, was in good health—Luis couldn’t stop thinking about the people out there who weren’t as lucky. The thought of a mother or wife struggling to survive pushed him to finally take action. In January of last year, he underwent surgery to donate his kidney, not to someone he knew, but to a complete stranger in need.
His kidney went to a 42-year-old mother in New York who had been waiting nine months for a transplant. In a remarkable twist, the woman had a willing donor who wasn’t a match for her, so she donated to another patient in need, creating a chain effect that saved multiple lives. Luis’ kidney was flown cross-country on a commercial red-eye flight while he anxiously tracked its journey, knowing it would soon change someone’s life forever.
Now back at work, Luis continues to save lives daily, but this time, in an even more personal way. His story highlights the power of selfless giving and the incredible impact one donor can have—not just on a single recipient, but on an entire chain of people waiting for hope.
