Angel Nathaniel Chacon brought so much love to his family. Only two months after he was born, while Angel was in his bouncy chair he suddenly stopped breathing. Paramedics were able to get his heart beating again, but he was brain dead. Angel's parents said the decision to donate was easy; the reason his heart started beating again was to help others. Angel is now a hero to his heart recipient, Benjamin, whose mother wrote, "Some people live forever and never do anything heroic. Your son was here only for a short time, and he touched our lives forever. He is our hero."

Angel's Story

Angel Nathaniel Chacon was born on August, 18, 2012, in Whittier. He had three sisters – Alexis, Marissa and Leah – and two brothers, Joseph and Noah. In Angel's short life, he was able to do much with his family, including celebrating his siblings' birthdays at the LA County Fair and Disneyland.

One day while he was in his bouncy chair, Angel suddenly stopped breathing. His sister found him and called for paramedics, who were able to restart his heart. His parents later found out that as Angel's brain stem grew, it cut off the oxygen supply to his brain. He was taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center, but he was already brain dead. His family believes Angel was their little hero, brought back to save lives as an organ donor and to help other babies.

The decision to say yes to donation was easy, and his parents didn't think twice. "We thought 'Of course, this was his purpose,'" they said. "We believe Angel's heart started beating again for a reason and for us, the reason was to help others."

To their surprise, nine months after Angel's donation, Angel's family received a beautiful letter from the family of Angel's heart recipient, Benjamin. "This letter brought comfort to us, knowing that Angel is their hero, too," his parents said.

Benjamin's mother wrote, "Some people live forever and never do anything heroic. Your son was here only for a short time, and he touched our lives forever. He is our hero."