You have the power to Donate Life!

"Organ donors save lives”…it is a common phrase in the world of organ donation, but one phrase that we rarely fully comprehend. Sometimes we only focus on the lives saved and fail to remember the life given. When thinking about being an organ donor and saving lives, please remember the story of Matthew Zaragoza Van Gelderen, a teenager from Manteca, California. Zona Zaragoza is a staff member at CSU Stanislaus and Matthew's mother.

Matthew was in the prime of his life: a bright young man, a talented athlete, a shining spirit amongst his peers. On September 16th, 2005, Matthew, then a junior on the East Union High School football team, was on the field as part of the kick-return team when he collided, head first with another player. Matthew suffered massive head trauma, and he was transported to San Joaquin General Hospital. He remained on life support in critical condition until he passed away on September 23rd. Matthew became an organ donor, and in doing so donated several of his organs to help save the lives of others. Matthew’s heart, lungs, kidneys, pancreas, and liver saved 4 lives of individuals ranging in age from a 17 year old senior in high school to a 57 year old grandfather. Matthew gave the greatest gift one could 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!