Mario G. Pinedo, the sixth of seven children, was born in Tijuana, Mexico. Three years later, the Pinedo family immigrated into the United States and settled in National City, Calif., where Mario played Little League baseball and was an altar boy.

In 1986, Mario, with the help of his father, opened an auto detailing business. He always found a way to involve the business in the community by sponsoring the local high school football team, advertising in the football schedule, and joining the local chamber of commerce.

When National City began building a new library in 2003, Mario was approached to be a donor for the building fund, and he never thought about it twice. He was very proud that he was a part of this great cause and that his business’ name, “Carrera’s Auto Detail,” would be put on the wall for everyone to see forever. He was thrilled to see the finished project in August 2005, when he was invited for the grand opening as an honorary guest and saw his plaque on the wall. “It was like seeing a child receiving the biggest prize of his life! This will always be an unforgettable event that will live in my heart forever,” said his sister.

Mario died from a massive brain aneurysm on February 24, 2006 at the age of 39. He had already registered as an organ and tissue donor through the California DMV. “We believe that his kind heart is what led him to become an organ and tissue donor,” said his sister. “Our family knew that he had registered as a donor, but never expected to be faced with his death seven months later. Although we had heard of being a donor since we all got our first driver’s licenses, we did not truly understand what that entailed. If it were not for the care and compassion that Lifesharing expressed to our family during our worst time, we do not honestly know how we could have dealt with Mario’s death.

“I cannot say enough about Lifesharing. Even after Mario’s passing, they made sure we knew he was treated with respect and dignity. The genuine love, compassion, and understanding that was shown towards each and every member of our whole family was amazing. The continued contact with the Lifesharing staff has had a profound healing effect on our family, and with their help, we have met one of the recipients of Mario’s donated organs.”