Jose Angel Garcia

Type of Donation:          tissue

Age and Location:          Age 57 – Norwalk, CA

Donation Date:             4/20/2015

Sponsor:                   Honored by OneLegacy

JOSE’S STORY

Jose Angel Garcia was a dedicated husband and father, a generous friend, brother and son. Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, he moved to the United States at the age of 18 after graduating from high school, looking for a better future and better job opportunities. In the U.S., he reacquainted with Teresa, a childhood friend from Mexico, and after dating for two years, they got married and continued their lives together.

Jose Angel had a great sense of humor, and he lived life fully with his wife and two children, even though he suffered from congenital heart disease that also affected his mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Jose Angel suffered a first heart attack at the young age of 30, and his doctors were surprised that he survived such a serious heart attack. Two years later, he suffered a second heart attack, and his medical team advised him to take his heart medicine religiously, since his heart was weak after two episodes, and he would not be able to survive a third heart attack.

Jose Angel followed their advice, and he lived another 25 years following a healthy lifestyle. He was able to live a full life and enjoy seeing his children grow and become adults. On April 4, 2015, Jose Angel suffered a third heart attack. He did not survive. His family wanted to honor his giving spirit and they said “YES” to donation. As a tissue donor, Jose Angel improved the lives of several people. His wife Teresa is a OneLegacy Ambassador, and she volunteers her time to share Jose Angel’s story with local communities, to inspire them to save lives through organ, eye and tissue donation.