Julio Buenano was a loving and outgoing 30-year-old who dedicated his life to helping others as a lifeguard, paramedic and pediatric ER nurse. Four months after the birth of his daughter, Julio suffered a tragic, fatal accident at the beach. His family knew he would want to be a donor since he had helped people his entire life. Thanks to his gifts of life, four people were saved, and more than 100 benefited from his tissue donation. His mother, Angela Evans-Buenano, now continues Julio's mission to save lives by promoting donation as a volunteer.

Julio's Story

Julio Enrique Evans-Buenano was an energetic, passionate, caring, loving, and outgoing son, brother, father, and friend, who lived every moment of his life to the fullest. He dedicated his life and career to helping others as a lifeguard, paramedic, and pediatric ER nurse. He cared deeply about the safety and lives of everyone around him. Julio loved the water and especially loved playing water polo. During his senior year of high school, Julio was recognized as his county's "Player of the Year."

Julio was equally passionate about music and travel. His passport contained stamps from more than 25 countries. When he was back home, he could be found playing house music as a DJ. In his spare time, Julio was always the life of the party, and his music always had the ability to get everyone on the dance floor.

In the summer of 2010, Julio became a father to a beautiful daughter aptly named Lucia Bella Falla-Buenano. Four months after her birth, Julio suffered a tragic accident at the beach. Julio was no stranger to organ donation, and his family knew he would want to be a donor, too. They also wanted something positive to come out of such a senseless tragedy and for young Lucia to be proud of her father.

On October 13, 2010, Julio became a donor through the Donation after Cardiac Death (DCD) process. To date, Julio lives on through his four organ donations and 105 tissue processes. He continues to shine through the eyes of his daughter.

Julio left his mother, Angela Evans-Buenano, a mission. Six months after becoming a donor mom, she was asked by Life Alliance, the organ recovery agency in South Florida, if she would become a volunteer and share her son's story with hospital staff and administrators, especially since Julio had been one of them. Angela took this as a sign that Julio wanted her to continue his original work of saving lives.

Angela now shares his story in many different forums and explains the DCD process to help inform others of this relatively rare donation opportunity.

"Not a day goes by that I don't miss my son, especially seeing his daughter grow up without him," said Angela. "But I think about his life and remember the memories he gave us, the life he gave someone else and the lives he extended, and not his tragic death."