Juan Espino knows all too well that life can change in an instant. In February 2010, Espino and his wife, Stella, were preparing to celebrate 25 years of marriage when she suddenly suffered a brain hemorrhage. She died just three days later. In life, Stella was known for her love of helping others, and the same was true following her death. Stella's dying wish was that her organs be donated. Stella's donation, which included her heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, bones, tissue and corneas, saved eight lives and helped 85 others. Espino is now a "Vital Volunteer" with LifeGift, and says that he volunteers because "it's all about saving a life."

Juan's Story

Juan Espino knows all too well that life can change in an instant. In February 2010, Espino and his wife, Stella, were preparing to celebrate 25 years of marriage when she suddenly suffered a brain hemorrhage. She died just three days later. In life, Stella was known for her love of helping others, and the same was true following her death.

Stella's dying wish was that her organs be donated, so Espino fulfilled that wish via LifeGift, the Houston-based non-profit organ and tissue recovery organization. Stella's donation, which included her heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, bones, tissue and corneas, saved eight lives and helped 85 others.

While still mourning the loss of his wife, Espino credits his American Airlines supervisor, David Escalante, with helping him get through the difficult days following her death. Escalante worked with Espino to help him participate in American's flexible work policies and provided assistance in transporting Stella's remains to El Paso for burial.

Espino is now active in LifeGift's "Vital Volunteer" program, which seeks to recruit, train and nurture volunteers who work to maximize organ and tissue donation. Juan's motivation for volunteering is inspired: "It's all about saving a life."