Jesus Hernandez was a friendly boy who grew up playing sports and surrounded by friends. He was a poet and an excellent artist. After dropping out of high school he started working in construction. He was only 21 when he was returning home from work and was struck by a bullet from a drive-by shooting. Jesus' organs were donated, and he saved the lives of six people. "It was a good decision," his mother said. "I'm happy he helped so many people."

Jesus's Story

Jesus Hernandez was a very friendly boy who was always surrounded by friends and playing baseball and basketball. He was the only boy in a family with six daughters, and he was always caring for them.

Growing up, Jesus was very artistic and creative. He drew so well that his teachers recommended he attend art school. He also loved music, and on the weekends his mother, Martha Rubalcaba, would find him on the computer listening for hours to his favorite rancheras. After his passing, his family was surprised to discover the many poems he had written.

"He was a good kid. He was very tranquil. He was very responsible and did not like to hang out in the streets," Martha recalled.

Jesus was a student at Roosevelt High School in East Los Angeles, but he dropped out as a way to avoid gangs. He began working in construction instead. Coming back from work one day, he was the innocent victim of a drive-by shooting. He was only 21 years old.

Jesus was not a registered donor, and at first his family was undecided about the opportunity to donate. After consulting with a priest, they consented to the donation, and Jesus saved six lives thanks to his gift of pancreas, heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver.

"It was a good decision, I'm happy he helped so many people," said Martha.