Sierra Donor Services

08/27/2026

At just 15, Aleya became a donor hero after a traumatic brain injury, saving three lives through the gift of organ donation.

Aleya was known for her determination and her belief that “resilience in adversity produces grit.” She lived to uplift others, a sentiment that continues to shine through the lives she saved.

Each day, we're reminded that her legacy is one of strength, hope and lasting impact.

Be a hero like Aleya. Sign up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at SierraDonor.org.

08/26/2026

Alert: Meet Paul Williams!

Paul has been an IT Support Specialist at DCI Donor Services for five years! He enjoys being part of a team and department that gets to interface with people at every point of the donation process.

Fun Fact: Paul has traveled to 19 different countries around the world!

Let's give a round of applause for Paul's dedication to saving and improving lives each day! 👏

08/26/2026

08/25/2026

Why is National Multicultural Donor Awareness Month needed? 60% of patients on the national transplant waiting list are from multicultural communities.

The need for donation and transplantation is more pronounced in multicultural communities where disproportionately higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease contribute to organ failure, especially kidney failure.

Together, we have the opportunity to make second chances possible. 💙💚

Sign up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at SierraDonor.org.

08/24/2026

Frederick Jones was a man with a heart of gold, a strong will and a desire to help.

He was inspired to register as an organ donor after his sister initially had trouble finding a kidney donor herself.

It was only eight years ago when Frederick fulfilled that lifesaving decision. At the age of 27, he was involved in a car accident that claimed his life but gave him one final opportunity to serve others.

He donated his kidneys, liver, heart, pancreas and corneas to save and improve the lives of those in desperate need of transplants.

“To know that somebody else is truly selfless and would be able to give that gift upon them departing from this material world is just the most magnificent gift you could possibly give to somebody.” ~Miceale Jones, Frederick's sister

Be a hero like Frederick. Sign up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at SierraDonor.org.

08/20/2026

For 25 years, Donate Life Ambassadors Jess and Theresa Chairez have shared their son's legacy of service and generosity.

Officer Joseph "Joe" Chairez became an organ donor after experiencing a brain aneurysm while on duty in 2000, saving four lives through the donation of his heart, lungs, liver and pancreas. 💙💚

At first, Jess struggled with the decision to donate. But as he prayed, he felt God tell him that by honoring his son's wishes, he would also be honoring Him. That moment transformed his grief into a lifelong mission of sharing Joe's story and encouraging others to say "yes" to donation.

"I always hear recipients say that receiving a transplant has given them a second chance at life, but knowing that my son lives on as a donor hero gave me a second chance at life.” ~Jess Chairez

Sign up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at SierraDonor.org.

08/19/2026

Donor Heroes make the selfless decision to be a light of hope and healing to those waiting for lifesaving transplants every day.

We are honored to celebrate their heroic legacies.

Donor Tribute: Carmen Vigil

"My Aunt Carmen was an amazing mother, wife, aunt, daughter, sister and niece! She was so good to all of us in her family. She taught us all to love deeply, to show care and to be there for each other, not only in celebration but in hard times. She was like a second mother to me, and we all miss her terribly. She could walk in our family home, and she was a light instantly. She was so full of life with child-like honesty and a great sense of humor! She believed in donating whatever organs or tissue she had that were good when she passed away. She always said 'I don’t need them anymore — why let them go to waste when I could help someone, especially a child?' I admire the person she was. I will always love and miss her, and it brings joy to know that no part of her went to waste. She gave away the best of herself when she was here and still gives of herself after she has gone to our eternal home. Love you always, Aunt Carmen!"

Give the gift of life. Register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at DonateLifeCalifornia.org.

Our Mission: Donate Life California saves lives by inspiring people to sign up with the state organ and tissue donor registry. Sign Up Today!

08/18/2026

It has been almost 10 years since Tracee's husband, James, saved lives as a donor hero.

In life, James was a beloved husband, father, brother, friend and a generous and kind man.

For Tracee, James' decision to be an organ donor meant the world to her, knowing that he was selfless enough to think of others as his final act.

Now, she is even more intentional about encouraging communities of color to become donors and highlighting the lives that can be changed by saying YES to donation.

Leave a heroic legacy like James. Register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at SierraDonor.org.

08/17/2026

Adam Cowan spent nine years on dialysis, waiting and hoping for the call that would change everything. In 2023, he received the lifesaving kidney transplant that gave him a second chance. 💙💚

While undergoing dialysis, Adam couldn't help but notice how many of the patients around him looked like him, underscoring the urgent need for more registered organ donors, especially in communities of color.

Today, Adam is thriving as a Donate Life Ambassador, using his journey to encourage others to sign up and help save lives as registered organ, eye and tissue donors.

"My transplant not only saved my life, but it truly added to the quality of my life. Freedom to live is what organ donation was for me." — Adam Cowan, kidney recipient

One decision can change someone's future. Sign up to become an organ, eye and tissue donor at SierraDonor.org.

08/13/2026

Dr. Velma Scantlebury-White is the first Black woman to become a transplant surgeon in the United States. Over her 40-year-long career, Dr. Scantlebury-White performed an estimated 2,000 organ transplants.

Born in Barbados, she and her family immigrated to Brooklyn, New York, when she was 15. Pursuing her dream of becoming a physician, she eventually earned her medical degree from Columbia University. Eight years later, Dr. Scantlebury-White earned her Doctor of Surgery from Pitt School of Medicine, a first in the country.

Recognized as one of the top doctors in the U.S., Dr. Scantlebury-White is passionate about educating communities of color about the need for more organ donors and the rising number of patients in need of transplantation. 💙💚