The Beat Lives On
Victor was a world-traveling DJ and father of four. But when he was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure, his life turned upside down. Thanks to the courageous act of David, an organ donor hero, Victor was able to live on.
Victor's Story
Victor, a Bronx resident and proud father to four, was a successful DJ who had spent years working around the clock to break into the music business. Just as he was finally gaining some success and traveling the world as a DJ, he learned he was suffering from kidney failure.
“I worked so hard to build a career that I loved and it all came crashing down around me when I found out I was sick,” Victor remembers. “I didn’t want to believe it. Telling my kids I was sick was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”
His illness prevented him from traveling internationally as he had to attend dialysis multiple times a week. It wasn’t long before Victor was placed on the waiting list for a kidney transplant.
“It was a scary time. The dialysis schedule is so hard and it prevented me from being there for my family as much as I wanted,” he remembers. “I lost so much weight and I was feeling awful. In the end I waited eight years for my transplant and I’m not sure I could have waited a single day more.”
Victor is alive today thanks to his organ donor hero, 18-year-old David, who gave the gift of life and allowed him to live on.
“There are no words to express how grateful I am to David,” Victor says. “I am in touch with his family and I tell them all the time how much his gift means to me. He gave me my life back. Whenever I am doing something cool like ziplining on vacation or spending time with my wife I say ‘thank you, Dave. This is because of you.’”
Commonly Asked Questions
The decision to register as an organ donor is personal and can require additional thought and reflection. Here you will find answers to some of your questions.
What is the organ donation process?
Non-living donation only happens once someone has died and can only be done with consent by you prior to your passing or by your family after your passing. LiveOnNY works with hospitals to carry out a person’s wishes to be an organ donor after their death. We also work with families who choose to give the gift of life on behalf of a deceased love one if that loved one was not a registered organ donor. Once someone consents to being an organ donor, a surgery is performed to recover organs from the donor. They are then transplanted to someone in need in order to help save their life.
Can I trust that the process is fair?
Organ, eye and tissue donation are highly regulated processes that ensure fairness and equity. The hospital where a person receives care and the organizations that maintain the organ donation registry, facilitate organ and tissue donation, and maintain the transplant waiting list are all separate entities. This is to ensure that there is no conflict of interest and that no part of the process can be influenced. Matching organ donors to transplant recipients is solely based on health factors and cannot be altered by factors such as race, economic status, or celebrity status.
Will doctors work as hard to save my life?
Doctors, nurses, paramedics and other hospital personnel are legally obligated to do everything in their power to save a patient’s life. LiveOnNY is a separate organization that works with families to facilitate organ donation only after a patient is deemed terminal. At no point will your care be compromised if you are a registered organ donor, or if your family has decided to donate your organs after your death.
Does my religion support organ donation?
Major religions celebrate organ donation as an opportunity to save lives and view it as a final act of kindness. The blessings associated with saving a life are also held in higher esteem than the religious laws surrounding burial. We encourage you to speak with your faith leader if you have additional questions. Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and Catholicism have all stated approval for organ donation when done with the intention of saving lives.