Versiti - Gigi Sanchez | Impact Stories
 

Gigi Sanchez

“My ‘why’ is to bring awareness to the Hispanic community about being an organ and tissue donor. You can do it. We can do it.”

Gigi Sanchez

Gigi Sanchez fondly remembers her brother, Noe, who passed away in 2015 after a two-year battle with sarcoma. “He was always very happy, very funny,” she says. “He loved to eat and drive his Jeep. He would help anyone, and he loved soccer.”

Noe was a registered organ and tissue donor and, even though his cancer had spread, was able to donate his corneas when he died. “I feel very proud of him,” Gigi says. “I feel content that someone out there is able to see because he donated his corneas.”

Now, Gigi encourages other members of the Hispanic and Latino communities to join the organ and tissue donor registry and give hope to their families, friends and neighbors. “My ‘why’ is to bring awareness to the Hispanic community about being an organ and tissue donor,” she says. “You can do it. We can do it.”


Every 10 minutes, someone is added to the organ transplant waiting list.

Approximately 113,000 men, women, and children are waiting for life-saving organ transplants. One organ donor has the power to save up to eight lives and change the outcomes of someone’s world forever by giving them a second chance. Additionally, tissue donation can save and improve the lives of up to 75 people with their gifts. You can make a huge impact by registering as an organ and tissue donor.

Learn more about organ and tissue donation, or register as a donor at https://donatelifewisconsin.org.

 

Impact Stories | Organ & Tissue Donation

 
Jesse Pagels
Jesse was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2003. Unfortunately, the treatment damaged his lungs. In 2013, a match was found and Jesse underwent a life-saving double lung transplant. 
 
Magnolia Robel
Magnolia Robel was born with four different congenital heart defects, two of which needed immediate surgical intervention. As part of her treatment, she received a cadaveric tissue graft and both red cell and platelet transfusions.
 
Corliss Shaw
Corliss fondly remembers her son, Corvohn. When he passed away in 2017, Corvohn’s organs were donated to seven different patients in need.
 
Become an Organ and Tissue Donor
Learn more about how to sign up as an organ, tissue and eye donor and how organ donation saves and enhances lives in our communities.
 
About Blood Donation
Donate blood, donate plasma or donate platelets at a blood donation center near you or a blood drive near you. Make an appointment to donate blood today.
 
Share Your Story
Versiti invites you to share your story and photo to help encourage more people to give back. You may even be featured throughout the year on our social media.
 
Impact Stories
Your blood, organ and tissue, and other donations directly impact lives in your community. Read a few of the examples of some of the lives that have been changed for the better.