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15 Jul

20 Million Californians Have Said YES to Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation — Twenty Million Is a Milestone, Not Our Finish Line

California has reached an incredible milestone: 20 million Californians have said YES to organ, eye, and tissue donation. This achievement represents hope for thousands of people currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant.

As the state with the largest donor registry in the nation, this milestone reflects the true power of public education, a strong social media presence, meaningful community engagement, and strategic partnerships. Through ongoing advocacy, outreach, and collaboration, Donate Life California continues to inspire Californians to make informed decisions about donation.

We could not have reached 20 million without our long-standing partnership with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which has accounted for approximately 99% of all donor registrations. For years, the DMV has made it easy for individuals to register in person at locations across the state, integrating the opportunity to say YES to donation into a simple, everyday process.

More recently, our partnership with the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) has expanded opportunities for Californians to say YES to donation. This year, the FTB introduced a new “Check YES” option as part of the California state tax return filing process, giving Californians the opportunity to make their decision about organ, eye, and tissue donation while filing their taxes for the first time. This innovative approach made it easier and more convenient for people to say YES to donation, helping accelerate progress toward the 20 million milestone. In just six months, approximately 160,000 Californians checked YES to organ, eye, and tissue donation through this new initiative.

We are grateful to every Californian who has said YES to saving lives. This milestone is a testament to the power of compassion and community—two values that define our state.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our Organ Procurement Organization partners (Lifesharing, OneLegacy, Donor Network West, and Sierra Donor Services), as well as our community partners at the DMV and the FTB. Your continued collaboration has been instrumental in making this achievement possible.

We would also like to recognize Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin (D–Thousand Oaks). In 2023, our mission to reach more Californians became a reality when she championed AB 1268, the law that streamlined the organ donor registration process through the FTB. By requiring the inclusion of the “Check YES” box on California state tax returns, this innovation has created a powerful new pathway for registration, helping connect more people in need of a lifesaving transplant with donors.

Assemblywoman Irwin recognized the urgency of this issue: more than 20,000 people in California are waiting for an organ transplant, often as their only chance at survival. She understood that this is not just a policy issue, but a critical public health need that demands action and awareness. We are deeply grateful for her commitment and partnership in advancing our mission: to save more lives.

23 Apr

By
Administrator

in
CEO Blog

Awareness Is Ongoing: Lessons from Donate Life Month

Kathy Vochoska (Living Donor, OneLegacy Ambassador), Lacey Felder (Senior Program Manager, Donate Life California), Theresita Gonzalez (Supervisor of Community Development at Donor Network West)

2026 California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Conference – Kathy Vochoska (Living Donor, OneLegacy Ambassador), Lacey Felder (Senior Program Manager, Donate Life California), Theresita Gonzalez (Supervisor of Community Development at Donor Network West)

Each April, Donate Life Month gives us an opportunity to pause, reflect, and recognize the extraordinary generosity of donors, families, and advocates across California. It is a time to celebrate lives saved and transformed through organ, eye, and tissue donation.

It is also a time to look ahead with honesty and humility and consider the work that remains.

We all appreciate progress. Celebrating success helps us recognize the partnerships, community efforts, and individuals who move this mission forward. At the same time, organ donation carries a constant responsibility. Today, nearly 19,000 people in California are waiting for a life-saving transplant. They are the reason we come to work each day. They are the reason awareness cannot stop at one month.

We have made meaningful progress. Nearly half of Californians have registered their decision to become organ donors. Awareness continues to grow through community outreach, partnerships, and expanded education efforts. More families now authorize donation on behalf of their loved ones, even when a decision was not formally recorded.

We also see progress in the number of opportunities people have to engage with this topic. DMV interactions, tax return forms, and college campus outreach all create moments for people to reflect, ask questions, and start conversations.

This progress reflects a collective effort. Volunteers, ambassadors, educators, healthcare professionals, and community leaders all contribute. That is something to be proud of. It is also a reminder that the work is not finished.

Awareness alone does not lead to action.

While millions of Californians have registered, donor registration rates have started to decline. That trend tells us something important. Awareness does not always lead to understanding or trust.

Every community brings unique experiences, beliefs, and questions into this decision. Some individuals approach healthcare systems with caution. Others may rely on cultural perspectives, current events, or limited access to accurate information when forming their views.

We must acknowledge that we do not have all the answers. Recognizing this gap helps us move forward. It has led us to begin research across California to better understand attitudes, perceptions, and awareness around organ donation. Listening is essential if we want to build trust.

Trust grows through transparency, consistency, and respect.

At Donate Life California, we take that responsibility seriously. As the state-authorized nonprofit that manages the donor registry, we operate with the support of Californians who contribute through the DMV. That support carries a clear responsibility. We must provide accurate, accessible information and serve as a trusted resource.

Education must evolve as people and behaviors change. In the past, many individuals first learned about donation when applying for a driver’s license. Today, fewer young people go through that process. This shift requires new approaches. Expanding education through college campuses allows us to meet people at a different stage in life, when they are making independent decisions and planning for their future.

We also need to create space for conversation. Donation is a personal decision. People deserve time, information, and support as they consider what feels right for them. That may include talking with family, asking questions, or seeking out trusted sources.

Awareness does not end when April ends. It continues in classrooms, at kitchen tables, in community spaces, and in everyday moments where people learn and make decisions.

If you are considering a donation, you might start with a few simple questions:

Would I want someone to say yes for me if I needed a transplant?
Do I want to make this decision myself, or leave it to my family?
Have I shared my wishes with the people closest to me?

There is no single path to that decision. There is value in taking the time to understand it.

I continue to believe in the generosity of Californians and in our shared desire to care for one another. Awareness grows through conversation, and conversation starts with openness.

For more information about Donate Life California, please visit www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org or in Spanish at www.doneVIDAcalifornia.org.

17 Feb

By
Administrator

in
CEO Blog

AB466 and the Future of Donation Education in California

A new year gives us the chance to launch new ideas and renew our commitment to the work ahead. At Donate Life California, education remains at the heart of our mission. As we begin this year, I feel encouraged by the momentum behind a new approach to donor education through Assembly Bill 466, also known as AB466. Although results will take time to measure, this rollout marks an important step forward for donation awareness in California.

Right now, education matters more than ever. The organ donation and transplant system across the United States faces heavy criticism. Therefore, people need clear, accurate information about both the strengths and challenges within the system. Honest education builds understanding. It also builds confidence and trust. AB466 gives us a meaningful opportunity to strengthen that foundation.

From left to right
Jim Martin, CEO of DLC, Dr. Janice Whaley, CEO of Donor Network West, Assemblymember José Luis Solache (AD-62), Prasad Garimella, CEO of OneLegacy

What AB466 Does and Why It Matters

AB466 brings educational and awareness information about organ, eye and tissue donation to new and returning college students across California. Specifically, colleges can now offer donation education during student orientations at University of California campuses, California State Universities and California Community Colleges.

Reaching students at this stage of life matters. College students make independent decisions, shape their values and define their future roles in society. In the past, many students first learned about donation when applying for a driver’s license. However, fewer students now drive in high school. As a result, that pathway no longer reaches as many young adults. AB466 creates a second opportunity to connect with students when they are open to learning and reflection.

Importantly, this effort focuses on education, not pressure. I hope our materials spark thoughtful discussion and encourage individuals to make donor registration decisions that align with their personal beliefs and values. Informed choice remains the foundation of meaningful participation.

Preparing for Statewide College Outreach

We have already begun preparing for AB466 implementation. Our team developed a website with educational materials customized for each participating university and college. In addition, we coordinated videos and written content with the University of California system, California State Colleges and California Community Colleges.

As we move forward, we will use tools that meet students where they are. For example, we are investing in short videos, accessible written resources and regularly updated social media content. College is about self-education. Therefore, we aim to provide useful, relevant information that supports learning while respecting individual choice. Above all, we approach students with facts, clarity and compassion.

Although the program remains in its early stages, enthusiasm continues to grow. We are building partnerships. We are listening to feedback. Step by step, this outreach effort is taking shape.

What We Hope AB466 Will Accomplish

Looking ahead, I feel hopeful about what AB466 can accomplish. More than two million students enroll in California colleges each year. That reach creates a powerful opportunity to increase awareness.

First, I hope awareness of organ donation continues to grow. Next, I hope that awareness leads to increased donor registrations. Ultimately, I hope we see more lives saved through transplantation.

Beyond registration numbers, I also hope this effort reduces myths and misinformation. In addition, I hope it encourages families to discuss donation wishes openly. Over time, I believe this program can help normalize conversations about difficult topics, including death and legacy.

To me, success looks like increased donor registrations across California. It also means more younger registrants and less fear or distrust in the transplant system.

Looking Ahead

As this work continues, we will share updates and lessons learned through this blog. Meanwhile, we invite students, families, and partners to visit our website, ask questions, and stay engaged. Watching our registry counter grow offers one visible sign of collective impact.

Californians are generous people. Organ, eye, and tissue donation gives each of us the opportunity to help save one to eight lives through organ donation and improve many more through tissue and cornea donation. As we move through 2026, I remain hopeful that education will continue to guide us forward.

For more information about Donate Life California, please visit www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org or in Spanish at www.doneVIDAcalifornia.org.