José Alfredo Carrillo was a recent high school graduate when his life was cut short. He had always been a good son, very respectful, a great brother to his three siblings, and a great friend. His mother, Maria, had never discussed donation with her son, but she knew he would have wanted to assist those in need. His corneas went to two young women, a gift that makes his mother especially proud, as does knowing that more than 50 people have benefited from his tissue donation. She finds comfort knowing that when he left this world, he left the gift of life behind for others.

José's Story

José Alfredo Carrillo was a recent high school graduate when his life was cut short. He had always been a good son, very respectful, a great brother to his three siblings, and a great friend.

His mother, Maria Carrillo, had never discussed donation with her son, but she wanted to give someone else a chance to live a better life. "I did not think of my pain; I thought about others," says Maria. "He would have wanted to assist those in need."

His corneas went to two young women in their twenties, gifts that make his mother especially proud, as does knowing that more than 50 people have benefited from his donation of tissue.

To keep José's memory and legacy alive, she joined the Embajadores de Done Vida, OneLegacy's Latino volunteer group, and works to spread the word about the need for donation among the Hispanic community, where she feels it is still a taboo. "I talk to people about him, about his gift. So many are waiting for another chance."

Every year at the East Los Angeles Mexican Independence Day Parade, she proudly walks down Cesar Chavez Avenue with a large poster of José, introducing him and his gift to the thousands of spectators that crowd the sidewalks. It is a time to remember that he was "on loan" to her and when he left this world, he left the gift of life behind for others.