Latest News

29 Jul

Donate Life California Responds to Recent Media Coverage: Reaffirming Our Commitment to Transparency, Trust, and Life-Saving Facts

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In light of recent articles published by The New York Times and other media outlets, Donate Life California is reaffirming its commitment to serve the people of California with clear, accurate information about organ, eye, and tissue donation.

“Donation is a deeply personal decision,” said Jim Martin, Chief Executive Officer of Donate Life California. “Our role is to ensure every individual has access to the facts they need to make that decision with confidence and trust.”

Since the publication of the July 20 article by The New York Times, Donate Life California has experienced a significant increase in public inquiries and concerns. In just a few days, more than 2,500 individuals across California have removed themselves from the state’s organ donor registry—a sobering reminder of how misinformation can influence decisions with life-or-death consequences.

“The stories as reported do not reflect the work Californians organ procurement organizations do each day to honor donors and save lives,” Martin continued. “Key facts about donation procedures and safeguards were omitted, leading to public confusion and fear.”

Currently, more than 100,000 people in the United States are waiting for a life-saving transplant. Nearly 20,000 of them reside in California. Every person who unregisters as a donor represents a missed opportunity to save or heal lives.

The articles in question highlight donation after circulatory death (DCD), a carefully regulated medical practice rooted in ethical standards and clinical rigor. DCD allows more families to carry out their loved ones’ wishes and increases the chances of saving lives. Like all forms of donation, it is based on the foundation of informed authorization and governed by strict protocols.

“We support transparency and accountability in all aspects of our work, including in response to media coverage,” said Martin. “We welcome open dialogue and are here to answer questions about how donation works and how it saves lives.”

Donate Life California encourages members of the public with questions or concerns to visit www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org or contact the organization directly at info@donatelifecalifornia.org. For those seeking more information about DCD or the donation process in their region, a list of local Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) is available at: https://donatelifecalifornia.org/about-us/local-donation-resources.

“Organ donation is one of the most meaningful gifts a person can give,” said Martin. “As we navigate these conversations, we do so with a deep sense of responsibility to educate, advocate, and uplift the truth—because lives depend on it.”

Media Contact:

Jim Martin
CEO
Donate Life California
jim.martin@donatelifecalifornia.org
916-678-6044

25 Jun

By
Administrator

in
News

Living Loud, Living Fully: Carswell’s Life After Kidney Transplant

For Carswell, life has always been about navigating challenges with heart and finding joy and identity in the spaces between. As a trans, bisexual kidney transplant recipient, Carswell embodies what it means to live fully and unapologetically. This Pride Month, we’re honored to share their story: one of resilience, creativity, and the transformative power of organ donation.

Diagnosed at age six with primary hyperoxaluria, a rare genetic condition that damages the kidneys and liver, Carswell spent much of their childhood living what felt like a “normal” life. “When you’re diagnosed young, you don’t really think about your life as different,” they shared. “It’s just your life.”

But in March 2020, everything changed. Carswell’s kidneys had failed, and they were placed on dialysis three times a week. At the same time, they were enrolled in a clinical trial that offered hope, but only after confirmation that they had been receiving the placebo did they finally gain access to the real treatment.

It helped. But the journey wasn’t easy.

Carswell experienced setbacks and complications, including a rare virus, time off the transplant list, and physical exhaustion. “I was a slug in my own life,” they said. “Sleeping, doing the bare minimum. I couldn’t do the things I loved.”

But on April 8, 2022, after years of uncertainty, a call came in: a kidney was available. The transplant took place the next day. “It was a whirlwind,” they recalled. “We had to call my mom, grab our bags, tell everyone. I was just about to leave dialysis when they told me. It felt surreal.”

A Return to the Stage—and Self

Carswell’s life after transplant hasn’t been without challenges, but it’s come with more freedom, connection, and creativity.

A passionate performer and storyteller, Carswell has always found joy in theater and writing. “There’s something about the connection on stage, you don’t get that anywhere else,” they shared. After the transplant, they enrolled in community college, began studying film, and started dreaming big again.

Though they had to step back from a recent role, Carswell treasures every performance. “One of my best friends played my sister. Her character died, and I had to scream and cry over her, and we kept trying not to laugh the entire time. It was beautiful.”

Pride, Identity & Choosing to Live Boldly

As someone who identifies as trans and bisexual, Pride Month carries deep significance for Carswell. “Pride is both a celebration and a recognition of how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go,” they said. “It’s about not being silenced. About saying, we’re here, we’re queer, and we’re not going anywhere.”

They see clear parallels between their medical journey and their identity journey. “Transplant forced me to reclaim control over my life. So did transitioning. Both have made me more vocal, more honest, and more focused on the life I want to live.”

The Power of Organ Donation

“The last three years have been the most joyous of my life,” Carswell said. “That’s only because I was able to receive a kidney. It didn’t fix everything, but it gave me the chance to try.”

That chance to live, to love, to create is the very gift that donation makes possible.

Be the Reason Someone Gets Their Second Act

During Pride Month and beyond, we celebrate people like Carswell who remind us that every life is worthy, every story matters, and every “yes” to do

nation creates a ripple of hope.

You can be part of that ripple.

👉 Register today at www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org
👉 Talk to your family about your decision
👉 Share your story to inspire others

Because someone like Carswell is out there, waiting for their spotlight, their story, and their second chance.

19 Oct

By
Administrator

in
News Press Release

Donate Life California Celebrates Successful Passage of AB 1268, Signed by Governor Newsom

New Legislation to Transform Organ Donation and Save Lives

SACRAMENTO, CA, October 16, 2023 – AB 1268, a landmark legislation that promises to significantly impact organ and tissue donation in the state, was signed by Governor Newsom. AB 1268, championed by Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), represents a crucial step forward in streamlining the organ donor registration process. This legislation makes organ and tissue donor registration more accessible and efficient for Californians. By including a checkbox on the state income tax return, individuals can now opt to become donors with ease, contributing to the growth of the California Organ and Tissue Donor Registry.

Assemblywoman Irwin shares, “With this new law, Californians will have the chance to help save more lives through this important program. Ensuring we have a strong organ donation registry is critical for Californians and by forging this new partnership between the Franchise Tax Board and Donate Life California we hope to potentially save more lives every year by connecting more patients in need with donors.”

Key Highlights of AB 1268:

Efficient Information Transfer: The Franchise Tax Board will be responsible for annually sending this information to the California Organ and Tissue Donor Registry for individuals who have chosen to become organ donors. This streamlined process will enhance the accuracy and efficiency of organ donor registrations.
Simplified Organ Donor Registration: AB 1268 will require the Franchise Tax Board to revise the California resident income tax return to include a checkbox for individual taxpayers who self-prepare their returns to elect to be an organ donor with the California Organ and Tissue Donor Registry.

“Since the creation of the Donate Life California registry, Californians have taken even greater strides to help save the lives of thousands,” stated Jim Martin, Chief Executive Officer of Donate Life California. Donate Life California feels that every Californian has the power to make a difference when they sign up to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor, and AB 1268 will help to create more opportunities for donation while giving hope to over 20,000 Californians who are waiting for a life-saving organ.

Facts about donation

Over 100,000 Americans are currently waiting for an organ transplant, more than 20,000 live in California. An organ transplant is their only remaining medical option.
Sadly, an average of 18 patients die every day while waiting, simply because the organ they needed was not donated in time.
2022 was a groundbreaking year as more than 42,800 organ transplants were performed, and the US surpassed its 1 millionth transplant.

About Donate Life California:

Donate Life California is the nonprofit, state-authorized organ, eye and tissue donor registry. As a public service, the registry assures that all personal information is kept confidential and stored in a secure database, accessible only to authorized organ and tissue recovery personnel at the time of an actual donation opportunity. The registry is administered by Donate Life California and California’s four nonprofit, federally designated organ recovery organizations: Donor Network West, Lifesharing, OneLegacy and Sierra Donor Services. For more information about Donate Life California, please visit www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org or in Spanish at www.doneVIDAcalifornia.org.

Please visit Donate Life California’s Stories of Hope web page to read inspiring stories about organ and tissue donors and recipients from around the state.