Dozens walk to raise awareness for organ donations

Dozens walked to raise awareness for organ donations Saturday during AO’s Gift of Life 3rd Annual 5K Walk/Run.

The third annual walk was held at Ascarate Park. The purpose of the walk is to raise awareness to organ, eye and tissue donations as well as honor the donors and recipients.

Officials tell ABC-7 there are over 125,000 people waiting for donations and another person is added to the waiting list every ten minutes.

The walk was created by Mandy Aofia. Aofia’s husband Eric, became a hero on September 1st, 2015.

“My husband was in s tragic car accident and he sustained brain injuries that he couldn’t recover from. Our tragedy gave life to five other people. He was able to donate six of his organs to five people,” Aofia said.

Proceeds of this year’s walk/run will benefit the El Paso Children’s Hospital’s ‘hero wall’ that will reveal the names of many children who have saved lives through their own selfless acts of organ and tissue donation.