DONATE LIFE WEEK
When one life ends, another begins…
It was supposed to be just another day on patrol for CHP Officer Kenyon Youngstrom, just as he did every day when he patrolled his beat looking to help those in need. On September 4, 2012, CHP Officer Kenyon Youngstrom, 37, was killed in the line of duty. Officer Youngstrom’s death was tragic but his spirit lives on in those he helped because he was an organ donor. Because of his donations, multiple people were able to receive the gift of life.
Officer Youngstrom’s organ and tissue donations went to a varied group of people, one of whom had been waiting a decade for a transplant. A 52-year-old woman from the Bay Area who had been waiting for a transplant since 2002 received Officer Youngstrom’s right kidney. A 29-year-old mother received Officer Youngstrom’s left kidney and pancreas. The mother had been on the organ transplant waiting list for three years. A 63-year-old woman, from the Bay Area received Youngstrom’s liver. A 50-year-old man, who is married and a father of four, was able to receive a new heart because of Officer Youngstrom.
Donate Life California is the state-authorized nonprofit organization responsible for managing the organ, eye and tissue registry. Their mission is to save lives by inspiring people to sign up with the state organ, eye and tissue donor registry. Their vision is that one day all Californians will embrace organ, eye and tissue donation as their personal responsibility.
By checking the “YES!” box on DMV driver license, ID card or renewal forms, the applicant’s license or ID card is imprinted with a pink donor dot indicating that the cardholder is a registered organ and tissue donor and that the applicant’s name has been added to the secure, confidential database of donors. For the first time since its inception more than 30 years ago, the pink dot represents a legally binding record captured on the Donate Life California Registry.
Because of Officer Youngstrom and countless others, their spirit lives on in the gift of life given to so many.
For more information go to: www.donatelifecalifornia.org
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