Recent national news coverage and ongoing discussions about the organ donation and transplantation system have prompted understandable questions from many Californians. We welcome those questions and believe that open, honest conversations are essential to maintaining public trust.
Donate Life California is the state’s official nonprofit donor registry, authorized by the State of California to provide a secure and confidential way for individuals to document their decision about organ, eye, and tissue donation. Our responsibility is to ensure that every Californian has access to accurate information and that each person’s legally documented decision is honored.
Public trust is the foundation of donation and transplantation. We believe transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement are essential to maintaining that trust. As the donation and transplantation community continues to evolve, we support efforts that strengthen the system while honoring the generosity of donors, recipients, living donors, and their families.
Every donation story is deeply personal. Behind every decision are individuals and families navigating moments of hope, loss, and healing. We remain committed to providing factual information that helps Californians make informed decisions that reflect their own values and wishes.
More than 20 million Californians have said “Yes” to organ, eye, and tissue donation. Whether someone chooses to say “Yes” or “No,” Donate Life California believes every person deserves accurate information, the opportunity to make an informed choice, and the confidence that their decision will be respected.
We remain committed to serving Californians with integrity, transparency, and compassion while working every day to support a trusted and accountable donation system.
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.
As we reach the end of the year, I find myself reflecting on what the Rose Parade has always symbolized to me: new beginnings. Since the Rose Parade happens on New Year’s Day, it serves as a reminder that every year brings fresh opportunities for hope, generosity, and connection. New beginnings happen for donors who give the gift of life, for donor families who honor their loved one’s wishes, and for recipients who receive another chance at life. Seeing the parade and meeting our float participants each year grounds me in our mission.
Ending the year by highlighting stories of hope and generosity feels especially important. It is easy to focus on the challenges around us, but these stories remind me that kindness is powerful and life-changing. I hope that as you read this blog, you feel encouraged to consider your own connection to donation. Occasionally, I like to ask those who are not registered, would you accept a donated organ if you needed one? It is good food for thought for anyone considering registering as an organ, eye, and tissue donor.
Spotlight on the Rose Parade Float
Donate Life’s Rose Parade Float
This year’s Rose Parade float invites us to come together and appreciate our everyday blessings. I believe this kind of shared gratitude can be an uplifting experience that gives us strength and inspiration. The Rose Parade is one of the most-watched events on television, and the opportunity to share Donate Life California’s mission and good work with millions of viewers is something we never take for granted.
The float, along with the walkers and riders who accompany it, represents real people and real miracles. Every individual featured on or alongside the float is a reminder that donation happens year-round. On New Year’s Day, we take a moment to honor a few of the many brave individuals whose lives have been changed by the selfless decision to say yes to donation.
Honoring Our DMV Heroes: Raquel Armstrong and Zeida Woods
This year, we are proud to honor two remarkable DMV employees who embody the courage, generosity, and impact of donation.
Zeida Woods
Raquel Armstrong, a living liver donor, saved her mother’s life in a moment when time was running out. What moved me most about her story was how close to death her mom became before she received the transplant. Raquel’s determination, love and advocacy speak to the heart of living donation. Her willingness to act brought her mother back to health and left her family with a legacy of strength.
Raquel Armstrong
Zeida Woods shares her story in memory of her brother, Carlos Giovanni Woods, who registered as a donor at just 18. When he died unexpectedly in a tragic accident, their mother made the courageous choice to honor his donation wishes. What resonates with me most is the strength it took to make that decision in the midst of profound grief. Carlos went on to save a life with his heart donation, and his legacy continues almost 30 years later.
This year, Carlos will be honored on our Rose Parade float with a floragraph, a floral portrait created entirely from natural materials. It is a beautiful and symbolic way to recognize donors whose gifts continue to ripple outward, long after their time on earth. Seeing his floragraph among the tributes reminds us all that one decision, made at any age, can change the world for another family.
Both of these stories remind me that caring people can work miracles. Simple answers in difficult situations can lead to a longer life, a marriage, a growing family, or simply the opportunity to enjoy everyday life. Hearing these stories makes me pause and be thankful for the blessings in my own life.
The Role of DMV Partners in Saving Lives
Our DMV partners interact with millions of Californians each year and are truly on the front lines of donation education. Nineteen point eight million Californians would not be registered without their help. DMV teams are part of our public relations efforts, our education efforts, and our mission in every sense. Recognizing DMV employees on the float this year is a small way to say thank you for the tremendous impact they have made. Since 95 percent of donor registrations come through the DMV, their work is essential to every life saved.
Looking Ahead with Hope and Purpose
As we enter the new year, I am filled with hope. I know Californians are generous, caring people. I look forward to hearing more stories and meeting more individuals who demonstrate the everyday heroism found in organ, eye and tissue donation. In the coming months, I hope to continue conversations about our College Education Programs and the option to register on California Income Tax Forms.
The new year is a fresh start. As you watch the Rose Parade, I invite you to take a moment to support and encourage each other, not only in donation but in everyday life. If you have questions or topics you would like to see in future blogs, please reach out. I look forward to sharing more on the first Wednesday of each month as we continue this important journey together.
