News
Fathers for Life: Celebrating Father’s Day
June 5, 2024
In honor of Father’s Day, Sierra Donor Services (SDS) is sharing stories of fathers whose lives have been touched by organ, eye and tissue donation.
“Fathers play a vital role in our families and communities, and their stories of organ donation are often both heartbreaking and heartwarming.”
Michael Coleman, SDS External Affairs Director
The “Fathers for Life” stories highlight the transformative power of organ donation and its impact on families and communities from three perspectives: a donor father, a transplant recipient and an individual waiting for his lifesaving transplant.
Jess Chairez, donor father
Jess Chairez lost his son, Joseph, in 2000.
Joseph was a Sacramento police officer who just started his career when he collapsed from an aneurysm and died.
He saved four lives by donating his heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas.
“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.”
Keith Ivy, heart recipient
Keith Ivy received a lifesaving heart transplant in 2010.
Over the past 14 years, Ivy has traveled with his wife, watched their two sons grow up and become a grandfather.
“Every day is a blessing, thanks to my heart donor. I treasure time with my family and know how fortunate I am to be with them.”
Eric Nebres, waiting for a kidney transplant
Eric Nebres, a father of two, has been waiting for a kidney transplant for the past four years.
He undergoes dialysis treatments three times per week while juggling a busy schedule with his wife and two young children.
Nebres remains positive while waiting for the lifesaving phone call that a donor is available to save his life.
“I am surrounded by support with my family and my church – I have faith that I will have a transplant soon.”
The demand for organs far outweighs the supply. In California, over 20,000 people are on the organ transplant waiting list. By registering to be an organ, eye and tissue donor, you could offer hope and healing to people like Nebres who are waiting for their second chance at life.
It’s never too late to register to save lives! Become an organ, eye and tissue donor at SierraDonor.org.
About Sierra Donor Services
Sierra Donor Services (SDS) serves nearly three million people in Northern California and Northern Nevada. We are an exceptional team of professionals dedicated to saving and improving lives by connecting organ and tissue donation to the patients who need them. We strive to extend the reach of each generous donor’s gift to those who are always profoundly grateful for them.