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.