You have the power to Donate Life!

Trey was born and raised in Petaluma where he was attending fifth grade. Trey enjoyed playing basketball and writing poetry and had joined the student council at his school with high hopes of taking on a leadership role.

In 2000, Trey was playing tag with friends at a birthday party when a large tree branch fell upon his head. He was immediately rushed to the hospital where his parents, Chip Atkin and Marjorie Helm, were informed that Trey would not be able to recover from his injuries. Knowing that their son was an exceptionally friendly and kind person in life, they then decided to donate his organs. Chip and Marjorie shared that it was of great consolation to them that, if they had to lose him, he would be able to save the lives of others.

Trey’s aunt, Susan Helm-Lauber, works in the Department of Economics at California State University, Stanislaus. Though she is still saddened by the loss of her nephew, who would have been 21 this year, she is comforted by the fact that he was able to give the gift of life.

Did you know that there are more than 100,000 people waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Of the 20,000 patients currently on the waiting list in California, 832 live in Stanislaus County alone! Due to a lack of donors, 18 patients die every day awaiting a second chance at life.

The need in our multicultural communities is great. Nationwide, minorities represent 54% of organ transplant candidates and more than 60% of those awaiting kidney transplants. In California, Latinos make up 35% of those waiting for life-saving transplants, Asians/Pacific Islanders 16%, and African Americans another 14%. Nearly 75% of those waiting for a kidney transplant are people of color. Nationwide, African Americans comprise 12% of the total population, but represent 35% of kidney transplant candidates. This high proportion is due to a higher incidence of diabetes and hypertension.

In 2004, the DMV discontinued the pink dot sticker that had previously appeared on licenses of donors in favor of a state registry system. Now if you want to designate yourself as a donor, you must either register online or indicate “Yes!” next time you renew your driver’s license.

Taking a couple minutes to register as an organ and tissue donor can mean a lifetime to someone else. Thank you!