Contreras family says loss spurred them on to organ donation

by: Melinda Alvarad | MyFox34 News

Terri and Juan Contreras are working to turn those numbers around. They first learned of organ and tissue donation while in the midst of experiencing loss.

This is their story.

It's hard to imagine, that out of tragedy, can spring life.
In the midst of sorrow and loss, organ donation is the furthest thing from many hearts and minds.

But bring up the subject with Terri and Juan Contreras, and they can tell you just about anything you want to know, because they've lived through both giving and waiting to receive.

"After the death of our daughter Celeste, we were made aware of the program and Juan and I began volunteering," said Terri.

When Celeste passed away, at the age of 15, Terri said she knew her daughter would want to donate.

"We were driving right about Boston and 34th street. There used to be a Mrs. Bairds thrift store there, and right over the thrift store, was a big bill board about organ donation. She told me, 'I'd do that, you know, I would do that,'" said Terri.

Today, Terri's husband Juan waits for a liver transplant. He's been waiting for nearly 4 years.

"This last month I was in the hospital two times because of internal bleeding," said Juan.

"Before they started testing blood, he had a blood transfusion and contracted hepatitis c, and so the hep c has damaged his liver and he's gone into full blown cirrhosis," said Terri.

Juan follows a strict diet, takes medication, and has certain physical limitations. While waiting for his transplant, the two volunteer with LifeGift, as Vital Volunteers. They work to dispel misconceptions about organ donation.

"There are a lot of misconceptions of what religions, their feelings, or their doctrine on organ and tissue donations. Misconceptions of, well, after they donate, they can't have an open casket, or the funeral has to be done differently. But most of the time that doesn't factor in at all," said Terri.

The decision to become a registered donor, she says, is one that needs to be made with both the head and the heart.

"The most important thing you can do is to let your family know your wishes. its very important for them to be aware, because you're not there to make that decision anymore. But if they know that that's what you would've done anyway, it makes it easier on the family," said Terri.

Texas is one of the most populous states in the nation, yet it has only just reached a million registered donors last year.

Compare that with other states population versus donor percentage, and the lone star state lags far behind.

Minorities are also one of the top ethnic groups in need, and yet one of the lowest in terms of registered donors.

For more information about organ donation, click here for a link to LifeGift.