Javier Guevara

Type of Donation:             Tissue donor

Age and Location:             Age 47 – Los Angeles, CA

Donation Date:                  October 23, 2011

Sponsor:                               Honored by OneLegacy

JAVIER’S STORY

Javier Guevara was a hardworking person.  He worked his whole life; he did not know what it was like not to work. Javier liked to help other people; it did not matter who it was and he did not expect anything in return. He was a kind, loving, simple person.

Family came first.  Javier liked to cook, listen to music, dance and play with his dog.  He never gave up unless he did not feel well. He would say that he felt fine. He was very positive. However, everything changed when his diabetes began to affect his kidneys and they diagnosed him with Stage 5 kidney failure and he needed to start dialysis treatment immediately. Javier was on dialysis for five years and he could no longer work. For him, this was very sad because he liked to be productive and feel like he was providing for his family and their future.

Javier was on the waiting list for a kidney and pancreas transplant for four years. He did not have the opportunity to receive his gift of life. However, when he died, he became a tissue donor and helped improve the lives of more than thirty people, even though he was a diabetic.

Javier’s wife and daughter have been active OneLegacy Ambassadors for seven years, as it is important to them to continue his legacy and inform people that they can be donors, even with diabetes.  Javier’s family is proud, knowing that their husband and father is a hero.