April is National Donate Life Month to encourage the community to become organ donors

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Every April we focus on the national need and importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation.

Currently, in Texas, more than 10,000 people are waiting for a transplant and 44% of Texans are not yet registered as a donor. People of all ages and backgrounds can be donors, including those with common health conditions. One person can save 8 lives through organ donation, and save or heal up to 75 lives through tissue donation.

Southwest Transplant Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fulfilling organ and tissue donations that serve the EL Paso area. Jaime Medrano is a kidney recipient who lives here in El Paso. He says he celebrates two birthdays, the day he was born and the day he received his lifesaving kidney transplant. He says no he can live life to the fullest. Jaime waited 7 years before he got the call he would receive his kidney transplant.

Donation affects more than the donors and recipients. It also affects the families and friends who love those in need.