Lifesharing creates heroes through the miracle of organ and tissue donation.

When an individual’s life cannot be saved, it’s our job to see if their organs and tissues can help others. Our medical staff works 24/7 to ensure these lifesaving gifts reach patients in need.

Lifesharing helps transplant hundreds of vital organs each year including hearts, lungs, livers and kidneys. We also recover tissue for transplantation. Tissue transplants can improve the quality of life for thousands of patients each year — corneas restore sight, skin can heal burn victims and tendons can help rebuild joints.

Lifesharing supports families in the wake of their loved one’s death and compassionately guides them through the donation process. We are humbled by the generosity of San Diegans and grateful for the support of our hospital and professional partners.

We are proud to be the federally designated organ procurement organization (OPO) serving San Diego and Imperial Counties in Southern California. Our unwavering commitment to saving lives has made us one of the top performing OPOs in the nation.

In August of 2023, Lifesharing organ donors saved 50 lives through the transplantation of vital organs such as hearts, lungs, livers and kidneys. Each recipient woke up in the hospital with a new organ and a new life. Some of the recipients received more than one organ — Lifesharing helped transplant a total of 61 organs during the monthlong effort. (Lifesharing came very close to its all-time record of 62 organs transplanted in a single month, which was set just a few months ago in May .) This latest milestone was a testament to the generosity of the San Diego community, the hard work of Lifesharing’s organ team and the cooperation of numerous hospital and professional partners. Each organ donation case is a highly coordinated effort involving Lifesharing nurses, surgical coordinators and family specialists. Each case typically lasts a few days and it’s not unusual for our team to manage several cases simultaneously. As of August 31, Lifesharing had facilitated the transplantation of 28 kidneys, 15 lungs, 11 livers, 6 hearts and 1 pancreas in the month of August.

Lifesharing and the nonprofit Transplant Trekkers took the field at Snapdragon Stadium to highlight the importance of organ and tissue donation. They helped unfurl the American flag in a pre-game ceremony before the historic match between Manchester United and Wrexham AFC. The two British football teams played a highly anticipated game in San Diego on July 25, 2023. Transplant Trekkers, a group dedicated to encouraging living organ donation, recruited volunteers from Lifesharing to help unfurl the flag, which spanned almost the entire length of the field and weighed an estimated 2,000 lbs. Dozens of Lifesharing volunteers carried the heavy flag for hours prior to the game, to ensure the American flag did not touch the ground.

Public Relations Director Anne State (center) and her sisters Laura Brown (left) and Laurie Bergman (right) are a proud organ donor family who represented Lifesharing at the Pacific Southwest Emmy Awards in Rancho Mirage on June 17, 2023. Anne was nominated in the “Video Essayist” category for her film honoring San Diego Fire-Rescue Captain Robin Cervantes, an organ donor who saved four lives after he passed away in 2019. The floral portrait of the late Capt. Cervantes was featured on the 2023 Donate Life Rose Parade Float; the film documents his family’s journey to Pasadena. In an interview at the awards show, Anne explained the emotional process of creating films for Lifesharing. “I feel a duty to the families. I just want to tell their story in the most respectful way — in a way that is befitting of a hero.” Anne was quick to credit her Lifesharing colleagues for making these films possible. “This nomination is not just the culmination of my work, but their work, too.” You can watch Lifesharing’s Emmy-nominated film by clicking on the link below:

In May of 2023, Lifesharing helped transplant 62 organs – setting a single month record for the organization. This milestone would not have been possible without the heroism of San Diego organ donors and donor families. Lifesharing’s organ team coordinated donations from several individuals throughout the month, finding matching recipients for organs such as hearts, lungs, livers and kidneys. Approximately one-third of the organs were transplanted over the extended Memorial Day weekend, when Lifesharing managed seven organ donor cases simultaneously. Over a four-day period, 21 lives were saved. During the month of May, Lifesharing also recovered life-enhancing tissues from 49 selfless donors – including skin, tendons and heart valves.

On May 13, 2023, Lifesharing held its annual “Day of Remembrance” in honor of organ and tissue donors from 2022. Collectively, these organ donors helped Lifesharing save a record 437 lives through the transplantation of hearts, lungs, livers and kidneys. The Day of Remembrance was held at Greenwood Memorial Park and featured violinist LJ Dorame as well as numerous speakers. When the presentation ended, attendees gathered outside for a symbolic butterfly release and rose placement ceremony. Dozens of families placed roses at the foot of Greenwood’s memorial stone which reads, “We honor the heroes who donated their organs and tissue. In their last hour, they gave a lifetime.”

Organ procurement coordinator Casey O’Brien has been named Lifesharing’s ‘Nurse of the Year’ for 2023. Casey joined our team in 2019 and travels to hospitals throughout San Diego County to coordinate the organ donation process. She works to find matching recipients for donated organs such as hearts, lungs, livers and kidneys. Casey is meticulous in her attention to detail and her critical care skills helped us save a record number of lives in 2022. Because of her advanced knowledge, she frequently serves as the administrator on call for Lifesharing’s organ donor cases. In that role, she oversees all aspects of the clinical process and provides support for our teams on the frontlines. Casey has spearheaded efforts to increase organ transplants and was invited to speak at the annual meeting of the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) in June. Casey’s compassion, engagement and positive attitude helps her connect with donor families, hospital workers and fellow colleagues. She is a leader and a true team player who always gives 100%. That’s why she’s Lifesharing’s 2023 Nurse of the Year.

Lifesharing took home two statuettes for its efforts to encourage organ and tissue donation in San Diego. The Finest Awards were organized by the Health Care Communicators of Southern California to recognize excellence in healthcare marketing and advertising. Lifesharing’s Director of Donor Development & Strategic Partnerships Samantha Blaz (second from left) and Public Relations Director Anne State (second from right) received the Silver award for their “Welcome to Our Hometown” campaign during the Transplant Games in San Diego. Anne also received a Bronze award in the Multicultural category for her videos and media efforts during Lifesharing’s Día de los Muertos celebration honoring organ and tissue donors. The Finest Awards were held May 12, 2023, at the Carlsbad Windmill. The videos below are part of our award-winning entries:

April is National Donate Life Month, a celebration designed to raise awareness of organ, eye and tissue donation. The logo was designed by Donate Life America and features a pond coming to life in spring. The artwork is symbolic: frogs are a sign of renewal, since they begin their lives as tadpoles. This April, we invite you to be part of our community by registering as organ, eye and tissue donors. There are more than 100,000 patients on the transplant waiting list in the U.S. – and approximately 2,000 of those patients live in San Diego and Imperial Counties. If you have a California driver license, you can register as a donor using the tab here:

In another milestone year, Lifesharing saved a record 437 lives in 2022. As the organ procurement organization (OPO) serving San Diego and Imperial Counties, Lifesharing coordinates organ and tissue donation at the end of a person’s life. Last year, we helped transplant 211 kidneys, 93 livers, 65 lungs, 57 hearts and 11 pancreases (also known as pancreata). The total number – 437 – is a new annual record for Lifesharing. “These numbers represent lives saved,” said Executive Director Jeff Trageser. He said the milestone was made possible by the hard work of our medical team and the generosity of people in the San Diego region. “It’s all centered on the families who chose to donate. They’re the ones who did this,” said Trageser. Lifesharing coordinated donations from 140 organ donors and 430 tissue donors in 2022. Organ donors are a beacon of hope for patients on the transplant waiting list, while tissue donors improve a person’s quality of life. (Lifesharing recovers tissues such as heart valves for cardiac patients, skin for burn victims and tendons to rebuild joints.) The contributions of San Diego organ donors helped propel the nation’s transplantation system to new heights. According to OPTN (Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network), the U.S. recorded 42,887 organ transplants in 2022 – the most ever in a single year.

Lifesharing is proud to announce San Diego Fire-Rescue Capt. Robin Cervantes as its 2023 Rose Parade Honoree. The late Capt. Cervantes became an organ donor in 2019 after Lifesharing found matching recipients for his heart, liver and kidneys. His floral portrait will be featured on the Donate Life Rose Parade Float, along with the portraits of organ and tissue donors from across the country. Meanwhile, Donate Life California has chosen Lifesharing volunteer (and recent Mt. Miguel High School graduate) Xavier McLeod as their designated rider on the float. McLeod received a kidney transplant as a child — he is living proof of the power of organ donation. Both Lifesharing and Donate Life California are proud sponsors of the 2023 Donate Life Rose Parade Float, “Lifting Each Other Up.” The float celebrates the special bond between donor families and transplant recipients.

Celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday where it’s believed that the spirits of our deceased loved ones return to earth. Every year, Lifesharing builds a beautiful ofrenda (altar) to honor its recent organ and tissue donors. In keeping with tradition, the photo of each donor is displayed on the ofrenda along with food, candles and marigolds. A sugar skull is also placed next to each photo, to represent the individual who has passed. Lifesharing team members spend hours creating traditional sugar skulls for each donor, decorating them in a way that tells the story of the person’s life. During Día de los Muertos, Lifesharing donor families are invited to view the ofrenda at our offices in Mission Valley. This celebration not only pays tribute to our heroes, it helps us educate the public about organ and tissue donation. In the San Diego region, Latino patients comprise the single largest group on the transplant waiting list. For some of these patients, the best organ match may come from a donor who shares the same ethnicity — a diverse donor registry can potentially save more lives.

Lifesharing is proud to announce Jeff Trageser as its new leader. Trageser will officially assume the role of executive director on October 16th, 2022, having guided Lifesharing for nearly a year as interim leader. Trageser has maintained Lifesharing’s status as a top-tier organ procurement organization (OPO), and both its organ and tissue teams are projected to see a record number of donors by the end of this year.

“I’m excited to build on the strong foundation of success and innovation here at Lifesharing,” said newly named Executive Director Jeff Trageser. “We have a talented group that has made an amazing difference in the lives of donor families and transplant recipients.”

Trageser joined Lifesharing in 2005. At the time, he was working as an ICU nurse in one of the busiest intensive care units in the city. Impressed by his ability to diffuse tension and handle emergencies, Lifesharing recruited Trageser to work as an organ procurement coordinator (OPC).

Trageser’s work ethic and clinical acumen eventually propelled him into the role of Lifesharing clinical services director, where he oversaw the medical team. And when longtime Lifesharing leader Lisa Stocks retired in 2021, Trageser rose to the challenge as interim director.

July 29 – August 3rd at the Convention Center and various locations throughout the city

Billed as “the world’s largest celebration of life,” the Transplant Games bring together thousands of transplant recipients for a week of athletic and recreational competitions. There are 37 teams from across the country taking part, along with three international teams from Brazil, Colombia and Australia. On Saturday July 30th, there will be a parade at 9 a.m. in downtown San Diego to officially kick off the games. The parade route starts near the County Administration Building and ends near the San Diego Convention Center. The public is welcome to watch the parade in person or remotely — it will be streamed live on www.CBS8.com. As a sponsor of the games, Lifesharing will have a booth at the Transplant Games of America’s Village — located at the San Diego Convention Center in Hall AB. Lifesharing is also leading the efforts to create a tribute event during the games to honor organ and tissue donors.

For more information on the games please visit transplantgamesofamerica.org.

Lifesharing’s Tissue Team Featured in TransplantNATION Magazine

The heroic work of Lifesharing’s Tissue Department was highlighted in a two-page spread in the May issue of TransplantNATION Magazine. These dedicated individuals work night and day to coordinate the donation of human tissue for transplantation. Corneas restore sight, skin can heal burn victims and tendons can rebuild joints, just to cite a few examples. Each gift holds the promise of hope for recipients who are in pain or suffering from traumatic injuries. But tissue must be recovered within 24 hours of a patient’s death, so each case is a race against the clock. And recovering human corneas and tissues is a delicate art, often compared to a surgical procedure — Lifesharing’s recovery technicians spend three to six hours on each case. The impact of tissue donation is monumental: a single tissue donor can help as many as 75 people.

Lifesharing’s films and public relations efforts have garnered four prestigious awards this year. On June 18, 2022, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences held its 48th Annual Emmy Awards program in Palm Springs, California. Lifesharing was nominated in two categories: “Video Essay” and “Editor — Short Form Content.” Competing against filmmakers and photographers from Southern California and Las Vegas, Lifesharing Public Relations Director Anne State picked up an Emmy for her editing work, taking home a statuette in the short form content category. And Lifesharing was a triple-winner at the “Finest Awards” hosted by the Health Care Communicators of Southern California. On May 6, 2022, Lifesharing received a “Gold” award and two “Silvers”. Public Relations Director Anne State received Gold for a video news release she created to celebrate the start of Donate Life Month. She also received two silver awards in the categories of Media Relations and Multicultural PR Campaigns — the latter of which she shares the honor with Lifesharing Family Services Manager Wendy Garrison. Garrison’s team created a beautiful tribute to organ and tissue donors during Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Despite the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Lifesharing saw a record 146 organ donors last year. Thanks to these heroes, Lifesharing was able to save 413 lives through organ donation. To illustrate the magnitude of this, Lifesharing placed 413 roses in its memorial garden — one for each life saved in 2021. Lifesharing also carried out tissue donations for 405 selfless individuals last year. A single tissue donor can help dozens of people: heart valves can give life, skin can heal burn victims and corneas can give sight. The milestones achieved in 2021 were made possible by the generosity of San Diegans, the perseverance of Lifesharing’s team and the cooperation of numerous hospital and professional partners.

A float honoring organ and tissue donors has won the Extraordinaire Award from the Tournament of Roses. Lifesharing was a proud sponsor of the 2022 Donate Life Rose Parade Float, which was recognized as the parade’s most extraordinary entry. The float featured the floral portraits of 35 organ and tissue donors, including Robert (“Robby”) Barksdale, Jr. Barksdale was a San Diego sailor who saved five lives when Lifesharing carried out his organ donation in 2018. Several of the sailor’s family members made the journey to Pasadena to cheer the float as it carried his image down Colorado Boulevard. This year’s float was called “Courage to Hope,” and its design was inspired by the majestic winged lion of St. Mark’s Square in Venice, Italy. The float celebrated the courage of organ donors and their families.

Lifesharing has chosen organ donor Robert (“Robby”) Barksdale, Jr., as its Rose Parade Honoree for 2022. His floral portrait will be featured on the Donate Life Float, which pays tribute to organ and tissue donors from around the country. Barksdale, Jr., was a brilliant, charismatic and generous young man who served as a Damage Controlman in the U.S. Navy. Assigned to USS Bunker Hill, Barksdale, Jr., was based in San Diego at the time of his death in 2018. He suffered fatal injuries as the result of a motorcycle accident and his family made the courageous decision to donate his organs. Lifesharing found matching recipients for his heart, kidneys, lungs, liver and pancreas. Barksdale, Jr., saved five lives as an organ donor hero.

Lifesharing is a proud sponsor of Courage to Hope, the 2022 Donate Life Rose Parade Float. Featuring the winged lion of St. Mark’s Square in Venice, Italy, the float celebrates the courage of organ donors and their families.

2022 Donate Life Float

Robby’s family displays the floral portrait they created for him. Left to right: godfather Kevin Brooks, mother Shanteé Broussard and father Robert Barksdale, Sr.

Robby’s family decorating the 2022 Donate Life Float

Lifesharing Lead Family Services Specialist Melissa Culver displays 19 hero medals – one for each life that was saved in a recent 48-hour period.

In an extraordinary display of generosity, Lifesharing organ donors saved 19 lives in a period of just two days. This is a remarkable milestone for the San Diego region, because organ donation is a rare occurrence. Statistically, less than 1% of the population will die in a way that will let them become organ donors. Recently, our team managed six donor cases simultaneously — the number we typically see in a 2-week period. There was no medical reason for the high number of cases; we were able to save lives simply because six families said “yes” to organ donation. During this 48-hour period, Lifesharing nurses found matching recipients for 19 organs, including hearts, kidneys, lungs and livers. Our surgical coordinators then worked tirelessly to ensure each organ stayed healthy on the journey to the recipient.

Lifesharing was a double winner at the 47th Annual Emmy Awards Program on June 3, 2021. The Pacific Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences recognized Lifesharing for outstanding achievement in two categories: Video Essay and Branded Content. The film, “Remembering Our Organ and Tissue Donors for Día de los Muertos,” tells the story of the beautiful ofrenda (altar) that Lifesharing employees created in 2020 to honor recent donors. The stories of several heroes were also featured in the film. Lifesharing’s Public Relations Director Anne State received two statuettes for her photography and video editing on the film. Executive Director Lisa Stocks was also awarded a statuette for her role as producer. In their award acceptance speeches, both paid tribute to the profound generosity of Lifesharing’s heroes and donor families.

Dedicated in early 2021, Lifesharing’s Memorial Rock Garden is a peaceful spot under the trees where donor families can place stones in memory of their loved ones. The small garden is located in front of our offices in Mission Valley for all to enjoy.

San Diegan Claire Tipler was an expressive visual artist who loved painting, photography and dance. When she passed away at the age of 21, she saved 3 adults and one child through organ donation. (Lifesharing found matching recipients for her heart, liver and kidneys.) Over the summer of 2020, Claire’s mother organized an art project in memory of her daughter and our team was humbled to take part. In this video produced by Lifesharing, Claire’s parents describe her passion for art and adventure and how organ donation helped them find meaning in the wake of their daughter’s death. In a second video for Lifesharing, Claire’s mother describes the organ donation process step-by-step, calling it “a sacred process.”

In the late 1990s, Chris Truxaw collapsed at school. A firefighter approached Christopher’s mother with tears in his eyes, as he explained that her son’s heart had stopped. Chris was eventually placed on the waiting list for a new heart at the tender age of 13. Without a transplant, doctors gave him only six months to live. Chris was getting weaker by the day — he was confined to a wheelchair and his skin was blue from a lack of oxygen.

And then, his family got the call — a matching heart had been found. The 10-year-old organ donor hero did what no doctor could do…. he saved Christopher’s life. A few years later, Chris honored his donor by competing in the 2002 Transplant Games. In a speech, he told the crowd: “He [the heart donor] freed me from my cell… I rose from the dead, able to rejoin humanity.”