Help kidney recipient Luis Garcia & donor John Zorrilla

Hello,

I would like to share a tale of two families and why it would be greatly appreciated if you would consider donating today.

On December 17, 2023, 7 days before Christmas Eve, Luis Garcia was not feeling well and went to the doctors. Everything looked OK, so they sent him home. A few hours later, the doctor called him and told him that based on his bloodwork, he immediately needed to go to an emergency room. It turned out that Luis Garcia, a 42-year-old father, husband, and principal of the year 2023, was in stage five kidney failure. He was admitted to the hospital immediately and spent his Christmas there along with his wife and two kids. Needless to say, his family and friends couldn’t believe the news as Luis Garcia has always led a very active life. His main focus has always been his family and community. His prognosis, unfortunately, was not very good. His two options were: kidney transplant or dialysis. A kidney transplant is what Luis and his family wanted, but because Luis has “universal blood” (O+), it meant he would be on the transplant list for 10 years as an O+ recipient can only receive from an O+ donor. But since an O+ donor can donate a kidney to anyone and everyone, it makes his wait longer. He started dialysis as soon as he got cleared to. Unfortunately, dialysis has been quite painful, but even so, Luis has remained a positive light and leader to his family, friends, and 500 students.

Three months ago, Luis got the surprise of a lifetime. Unannounced to him, John Zorrilla, a kind-hearted, devoted father, husband, and provider, also Luis’s brother-in-law, had secretly begun the process to see if he was a match to be a donor as he has O+ blood. As it turned out, he was a perfect match!!! Tears were shed as John shared the news with the Garcias. No one asked John to do this. John told his wife, Roxana, my baby sister, and Luis’s wife, Yesenia, my older sister, that how could he not donate his kidney to Luis? How could he not help save his life when he is the father to his nephew and niece, the husband of his sister-in-law, and his friend? This statement sums up the type of person John is. He is the guy that will literally give you the shirt (or kidney) off his back. There was no doubt or any hesitation. Just kindness & generosity.

Now to why we need the GoFundMe. Luis & Yesenia are public servants. Luis is a principal of an elementary school and Yesenia is a kinder teacher. Yesenia will have to stay home with Luis for six weeks. As a teacher, she does not have six weeks of paid leave. Luis will need to take the rest of the year off. As a principal, he too will not have his full salary. The Zorrillas are currently surviving on a single income, John’s. He will miss 2-3 weeks of work February 2025, when the surgery is scheduled to happen.

Please consider helping these two families with whatever you can or by sharing on social media platforms. With love and appreciation, “Team Luis”