Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month: Celebrating Culture, Legacy, and the Gift of Life
Hispanic Heritage Month, observed each year from September 15th to October 15th, celebrates the strength, values, and lasting contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. At Southwest Transplant Alliance (STA), it’s a time to honor the impact these communities have in saving and healing lives through organ, eye, and tissue donation—a legacy of giving that continues to inspire STA’s mission.
Advancing donation is about more than saving lives—it’s also about honoring heritage, building community, and sharing hope. Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, STA proudly joined in the celebration by uplifting stories that reflect the strength, generosity, and resilience of Hispanic and Latino donors, recipients, and families—recognizing the vital role these communities play in creating a future where every life is valued and every gift is honored.
Honoring Armando: A Father’s Legacy Lives On
Honoring donor heroes is at the heart of STA’s mission. This Hispanic Heritage Month, we had the opportunity to honor donor hero Armando, a devoted husband and father remembered for his humor, humility, and love for family. Known for making others laugh and his deep passion for horseback riding, Armando lived a life rooted in kindness and connection.
After a tragic accident, Armando became a donor hero by saving three lives through organ donation and bringing healing to many more through tissue donation. His final act of generosity was a reflection of how he lived every day: with love, compassion, and service to others.
“He left a mark on all of us,” said his daughter, Nayelli, reflecting on the lessons her father left behind. “We learned so much from him, especially how to be humble and how to treat others with respect. We will always be grateful for all that he did for us.”
Armando’s story serves as a testament of how organ donation transforms grief into hope, and how one “yes” can save and heal lives.
A Life of Service Renewed: Kevin’s Story
Kevin built his life around service to his community, his country, and those in need. From serving as a police officer in Plano, Texas to protecting lives as a firefighter and U.S. military veteran, Kevin dedicated his life to helping others. Even as he faced challenging heart complications for more than a decade, his determination never wavered.
After 17 years and a culmination of over 20 heart attacks, everything changed when he received a second chance at life through the gift of a heart transplant.
Today, Kevin continues his mission of service in a new way: by advocating for organ donation, sharing his story, and inspiring others to register their decision. His journey is a powerful reminder that the impact of one donor hero can extend far beyond a single life—and that a spirit of service can endure long after the uniform is retired.
Connecting Through Culture: STA Honors Donor Heroes at the McKinney Día de los Muertos Festival
STA had the honor of participating in the 5th Annual Día de los Muertos Festival in McKinney, Texas. As first-time participants, the festival offered a meaningful opportunity to connect with the local community and share the message of organ donation through the rich lens of cultural tradition.
Rooted in heritage and remembrance, Día de los Muertos is a time to honor the lives of those who have passed and celebrate the legacies they leave behind. This year, STA’s presence at the festival centered around a beautifully designed ofrenda, inviting visitors to remember their loved ones and consider the enduring impact of organ and tissue donation. With cultural displays, powerful stories, and Done Vida coloring sheets for the kids, our dedicated Community Engagement and volunteer teams created a vibrant, welcoming space that celebrated both Hispanic culture and the gift of life.
“The Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation (AMAT) reports that more than 25,000 Hispanic individuals are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant in the U.S., and already in 2025, 1,463 Hispanic deceased donors have given the gift of life,” said Maegan Escamilla, Community Outreach Associate for STA. “We’re honored to celebrate Día de los Muertos by sharing in this beautiful tradition and displaying an ofrenda to remember and recognize those heroic donors who have saved and healed countless lives.”
While Hispanic Heritage Month may come to an end each year, the values celebrated—love, generosity, and service—remain at the heart of STA’s lifesaving mission. To learn more about STA is actively working in the community to usher the message of donation, visit: https://www.organ.org/in-the-news.