Original story published 2024-09-22 00:16:45
Organ donations are increasing across the nation, reaching more than 1 million transplants. At a recent donation celebration event in New Mexico, families and recipients shared their poignant stories, highlighting the life-changing impact of organ transplantation. Among those honored was Jose Graziano, who spent five months in the hospital before receiving a life-saving double lung transplant from a donor in Phoenix. He now dedicates his life to honoring his donor, Raquel, by adding her memorial on his car and sharing his story to promote organ donation awareness.
The significance of organ donation has also been highlighted with stories of selfless acts. One mother, who lost her son over five years ago, honored his compassionate nature by choosing to donate his organs, which saved four lives. Her son’s heart found a new home with an 11-year-old boy, his liver saved a four-month-old baby, and his kidneys were transplanted to two adults. These powerful narratives emphasize the immense impact organ donations can have on the lives of recipients and the legacy of the donors.
In an encouraging trend, within the last year, New Mexico Donor Services reported a record number of organ donations, with 137 kidneys and 54 livers donated. The organization’s efforts underscore that every individual has the potential to be a hero through organ donation. Additionally, the event organizers noted a significant increase in Native American authorizations for organ donation since 2020. However, they pointed out that one out of five people on the waitlist are Native Americans, indicating a continuing need for more donors among this community.
