Eduardo Arellano always gave fully of himself to his work, family and friends. He always had time to lend an ear, offer wisdom or tell a person what they needed to hear. Eddie's family has witnessed the impact of Eddie's generosity, love and humor to those he cared about. This inspired his family to say "yes" to organ donation on his behalf; his family knew through his compassion and character that it was the right decision to make. Through his gift of life, he was able to save four individuals and inspire many of his family and friends to continue to spread the word about donation.

Eddie's Story

Eduardo Arellano, known to all that loved him as Eddie, was born on December 11, 1974 in Torrance, Calif. The second child born to Emiliano and Clementina Arellano, he ran cross-country and track, receiving All-CIF honors his senior year of high school. He enrolled at California State University, Long Beach, where he pledged Delta Sigma Chi in fall 1994, and graduated in 1998 with a B.S. in International Business and Finance. For most of his professional career, Eddie worked at Makai, Inc. where he became Director of Operations and a mentor to many. He was an integral part of the success that Makai enjoyed while he was there, heading nationwide marketing campaigns for Fortune 500 companies.

In his free time, Eddie was very passionate about music and enjoyed a highly promising second career as one of the principal members of the hip-hop group Spanish F.L.Y. Music was where he could display all facets of his complex personality from fun-loving miscreant to thoughtful social advocate and romantic playboy.

Eddie always gave fully of himself to his work, family and friends. When people would first meet Eddie, he was usually reserved and quiet. Once he gained trust and confidence, another side of Eddie would come out: his playful side and his great sense of humor. Everyone knew when Eddie gave you a difficult time it only meant that he cared and wanted the best for them. His family and friends meant so much to him that he always had time to lend an ear, offer wisdom or tell a person what they needed to hear even if it was not pleasant.

His family has witnessed the impact of Eddie's generosity, love and humor to those he cared about. Many have said of Eddie, "If someone needed to be stood up for, Eddie would stand." This inspired his family to say "yes" to organ donation on his behalf. Although Eddie was not a registered donor, his family knew through his compassion and character that it was the right decision to make.

Through his gift of life, Eddie was able to save four individuals and inspire many of his family and friends to continue to spread the word about donation. Touched and motivated by her brother's story, Eddie's sister now offers grief support to donor families as an employee of OneLegacy, while his brother, friends and family participate in a variety of Donate Life events.