Pedro Julian Batista Velazquez was an outgoing 30 year-old who was known as a very giving person who loved his family, music and dangerous sports. On May 29, 2011, Pedro was involved in a four-wheeler accident and airlifted to the hospital. His family stayed by him steadfastly for four days and prayed for a miracle. When he was declared brain dead, the family gave permission for "everything" to be donated. Pedro donated tissue and six organs that saved five lives. His mother Nancy Bermudez said the donation "was the only thing that helped us know that it was ok to say goodbye. My son Pedro is still living on here, helping others."

Pedro's Story

Pedro Julian Batista Velazquez was an outgoing 30 year-old who was known as a very giving person, always with a smile, and very loving, especially with his family. Pedro is best described by the poem his sister wrote: "P is for his Powerful Smile, E is Excited About Life, D is Down to Earth, R is Ready to Rock, and O is Overly Adventurous."

Pedro loved music and dangerous sports. He obtained a degree in Recording Arts and was a DJ under the name DROMACHINE.

On May 29, 2011, Pedro's parents received a phone call from their youngest daughter, Madeline, who was talking very fast: Pedro had been in a four-wheeler accident and a helicopter was coming to pick him up. "My heart dropped," said his mother, Nancy Bermudez. "I knew this was not good news."

The family came together at the hospital while the doctors operated, trying to save Pedro's life. "We were in and out of the hospital over the next four days," Nancy recalled. "Pedro was never left alone. We cried and prayed together for a miracle. I was told that Pedro had three things going for him that might be able to help save his life. He was young, healthy, and sober. I held onto the goodness of my son, hoping that these three things would help his body be strong enough to survive."

Finally, the doctors delivered the news that Pedro was brain dead. The family said yes immediately to donation. Pedro had told his sister Angie two months before that he believed in organ donation. The family gave permission for "everything" to be donated. Pedro donated tissue and six organs and saved five lives.

"My son Pedro was a very giving person. I knew that this was the right thing to do," Nancy said. "Anyone who knew my son would know that this was the easiest decision we had to make, in a time of great sorrow. It was the only thing that helped us know that it was ok to say goodbye. My son Pedro is still living on here helping others."