Joe J. Chairez

Type of Donation:          organs and tissue

Age and Location:          Age 25 – West Sacramento, CA

Donation Date:             11/26/2000

Sponsor:                   Honored by Donor Network West

JOE’S STORY

Some desire to help themselves, others focus on their loved ones, and some desire to help everyone. The Chairez's son was an example of the latter. As a boy, Joe dreamed of being a police officer, who would bravely run into danger to protect the innocent. He grew to become the kind of man that would help his classmates when they struggled. He watched over them, protected them, and helped them when they needed the strength to overcome their insecurities and fears. His love for others made it easy for people to approach him. He became student body president and captain of the football team in his senior year of high school. During college, he studied criminal justice, while attending the police academy. During this time, he told his father, Jess, that he had registered to be an organ donor. "I said no, I would not agree to this." Joe told his father that Joes' brothers and mother supported his decision, "but I still said no. I refused to consider the possibility that our son could lose his life."

A few months passed and the family was having a lovely dinner. Joe had to be at work early in the morning, so he had to go home, but he was asked to stay a bit longer. When it was time for him to leave, Jess hugged Joe and said their goodbyes. Then, something came over Jess that told him to hug and kiss his son one more time. "I praise God every day for that moment, as it was the last time we saw our son alive." The next day, Joe collapsed from an aneurism while making an arrest. He was medically brain dead and his parents were asked to decide his fate. "I stepped away to pray for guidance when suddenly, the memory of our discussion about organ donation flashed before me. ‘By honoring your son, you will honor me.'" Joe saved four people's lives through the gift of organ and tissue donation. The Chairez family thanks Donor Network West for giving them a platform to speak, teach and honor their son Joe.