California Donor Network organizes event in Hayward to honor donors like Ruben Bernal
By Alan Lopez | Contra Costa Times
In February 2010, 21-year-old Ruben Bernal, of Fremont, died after he was shot in the back of the head in a drive-by shooting in Union City.
Around the same time, Bob Moss, of Livermore, was at UCSF Medical Center waiting for a heart and kidney transplant that he needed because of complications from diabetes.
After Bernal died, Moss was given his heart and a kidney and today, Moss, 61, is alive and energetic.
On Saturday, tears flowed when Moss and his family met Bernal's family before a ceremony honoring organ donors from Northern California and northern Nevada.
The event was organized by the California Transplant Donor Network.
Families that donated were honored with a medal and a memorial book in the ceremony at the Chabot College Performing Arts Theater in Hayward.
"It's a very emotional ceremony," said Anthony Borders, communications specialist for the donor network.
When they met, Bob Moss and his wife, Cheryl, hugged Maria Tovar, Ruben's mother, as she and other family members wiped away tears.
The family showed Moss a photo of Bernal and told him how he was a budding tattoo artist who brought people together. His funeral drew hundreds.
Bob Moss told Bernal's family that he thinks about him every day and tries to be the best person he can.
"With very few start uptroubles, I was able to enjoy a completely new, incredible life that was due to the incredible generosity of this family," said Moss, who was flanked by his children and their family members, along with his wife.
After meeting Bernal's family, Moss said, "I never had an experience at this level and intensity. Words fail me."
Bernal's older brother, Miguel Tovar, said his younger brother's back was turned when he was shot on a street in the Decoto neighborhood in Union City.
Tovar said police, who have not solved the case, believe his brother was in the "wrong place at the wrong time."
Ruben had registered to be an organ donor with the thought that in the event that something should happen to him, he could "live on by giving other people a longer life," Miguel Tovar said.
"I'm really happy to see that his heart went to a great person."
He added that the experience has prompted him to register to be an organ donor as well.
The two families were among 500 people who attended Saturday's ceremony, which included live musical performances, a video tribute to the donors and their families, and testimonials from donors and recipients.
On Sunday, a Modesto man whose 17-year-old son donated a kidney is scheduled to meet the recipient, 53-year-old Brenda Davis, of Fremont, before a second donor ceremony.
In Alameda County, more than 100,000 people are on a waiting list for an organ, including heart, kidney, lungs, pancreas and liver, Borders said.
In California, that number is 21,000 people.
About a third of people waiting for an organ donation die. The average wait time for a kidney is seven to nine years.
The donor network provides education for potential donor families as well as counseling for families who have donated organs or tissues.
More information and the opportunity to register on the California Donate Life registry are online at www.donatelifecalifornia.org.
Around the same time, Bob Moss, of Livermore, was at UCSF Medical Center waiting for a heart and kidney transplant that he needed because of complications from diabetes.
After Bernal died, Moss was given his heart and a kidney and today, Moss, 61, is alive and energetic.
On Saturday, tears flowed when Moss and his family met Bernal's family before a ceremony honoring organ donors from Northern California and northern Nevada.
The event was organized by the California Transplant Donor Network.
Families that donated were honored with a medal and a memorial book in the ceremony at the Chabot College Performing Arts Theater in Hayward.
"It's a very emotional ceremony," said Anthony Borders, communications specialist for the donor network.
When they met, Bob Moss and his wife, Cheryl, hugged Maria Tovar, Ruben's mother, as she and other family members wiped away tears.
The family showed Moss a photo of Bernal and told him how he was a budding tattoo artist who brought people together. His funeral drew hundreds.
Bob Moss told Bernal's family that he thinks about him every day and tries to be the best person he can.
"With very few start uptroubles, I was able to enjoy a completely new, incredible life that was due to the incredible generosity of this family," said Moss, who was flanked by his children and their family members, along with his wife.
After meeting Bernal's family, Moss said, "I never had an experience at this level and intensity. Words fail me."
Bernal's older brother, Miguel Tovar, said his younger brother's back was turned when he was shot on a street in the Decoto neighborhood in Union City.
Tovar said police, who have not solved the case, believe his brother was in the "wrong place at the wrong time."
Ruben had registered to be an organ donor with the thought that in the event that something should happen to him, he could "live on by giving other people a longer life," Miguel Tovar said.
"I'm really happy to see that his heart went to a great person."
He added that the experience has prompted him to register to be an organ donor as well.
The two families were among 500 people who attended Saturday's ceremony, which included live musical performances, a video tribute to the donors and their families, and testimonials from donors and recipients.
On Sunday, a Modesto man whose 17-year-old son donated a kidney is scheduled to meet the recipient, 53-year-old Brenda Davis, of Fremont, before a second donor ceremony.
In Alameda County, more than 100,000 people are on a waiting list for an organ, including heart, kidney, lungs, pancreas and liver, Borders said.
In California, that number is 21,000 people.
About a third of people waiting for an organ donation die. The average wait time for a kidney is seven to nine years.
The donor network provides education for potential donor families as well as counseling for families who have donated organs or tissues.
More information and the opportunity to register on the California Donate Life registry are online at www.donatelifecalifornia.org.
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