Tag Archives: donate life

17 Feb

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.

29 Jul

By
Lacey Wood

in
Press Release

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

30 Mar

By
Administrator

in
Press Release

This April, Donate More Than Clothes at Goodwill of Orange County Stores — Donate Life

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

For additional information contact:
Nicole Morrison (Goodwill of OC) 562-773-9910
Lacey Wood (Donate Life CA) 916-678-6006
Ingrid Smart (Casanova) 949-300-296

This April, Donate More Than Clothes at Goodwill of Orange County Stores — Donate Life

Donate Life CA and Goodwill of OC Team Up for Innovative Donor Registration Initiative

Santa Ana, CA (April 2, 2021): This April for National Organ Donation Month, you can donate more than clothes and gently used items at Goodwill of Orange County stores – you can donate life. Through an innovative partnership between Donate Life CA and Goodwill of Orange County, all Goodwill shoppers and donors will be given the opportunity to register as organ, eye and tissue donors.

Historically, most people register at the DMV when they get or renew their driver’s license, but this month, they will also be able to easily register as an organ donor when they drop off donations or shop at any Goodwill store in Orange County.

Each day, 20 people in the U.S. die waiting for an organ donation, and there are more than 100,000 people currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant. More than 22,000 people, or 20% of the national waiting list, are right here in California. The program, created by local ad agency Casanova//McCann, aims to significantly increase the number of registered organ donors here in O.C.

“We are excited to be part of this initiative and to use our store and donation sites to change lives in a different way this month,” said Nicole Suydam, President and CEO of Goodwill of Orange County. “On average, we see 90,000 donors in April, so we have a unique opportunity to significantly impact the lives of so many in need.”

“California still lags behind the national average of organ donors and our goal is to close that gap,” Jim Martin, CEO, Donate Life CA said.” We are grateful to partner with Goodwill of Orange County, a respected organization that has given us access to a whole new way to register donors.”

“This is our second initiative for Donate Life CA and our first with Goodwill of Orange County, and we couldn’t be more excited about it,” said Ingrid Otero-Smart, President and CEO, Casanova//McCann. “Last time we increased registrations by 19% and it is our goal to beat that number with this initiative”.

About Goodwill of Orange County
Goodwill of Orange County helps people facing barriers find and keep jobs, which provides purpose, pride, and dignity. Since its inception in 1924, Goodwill has supported hundreds of thousands of individuals through quality training and education programs, supportive employment services for people with developmental and physical disabilities, on-site job coaching, community integration programs, veteran employment services, and more. The nonprofit operates a collection of 25 retail venues throughout Orange County, including five OC Goodwill Boutiques and its ecommerce platform shopgoodwill.com, to support these life-changing programs and services. To learn more about Goodwill of Orange County, visit ocgoodwill.org.

About Donate Life California:

The Donate Life California Organ & Tissue Donor Registry 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; how organ, eye and tissue donation saves and improves lives; and to sign up, please visit www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org or in Spanish at www.doneVIDAcalifornia.org.

About Casanova//McCann:

Casanova//McCann is one of the leading Hispanic integrated communications agencies in the U.S. and the most awarded Hispanic agency in Cannes the past two years. Founded in 1984, the company is headquartered in Costa Mesa, CA, with N.Y. and Detroit offices. It handles Hispanic advertising and integrated communications services for Fortune 500 clients like Nestlé, Chevrolet, US Postal Service, Cigna, and Coca-Cola, among others. Casanova has been affiliated with Interpublic Group of Companies since 1999 and became a minority, female-owned, in October 2020. For more information about Casanova//McCann, visit www.Casanova.com.