Raquel Armstrong

Type of Donation:       liver (living donor)

Age and Location:      Age 48 – Stockton, CA

Date of Donation:           9/08/2016

Sponsor:                      Honored by Donate Life California

RAQUEL’S STORY

In 2015, Raquel's mother Rena was diagnosed with liver failure and given 3 months to live. During this difficult time, Raquel was her mother's advocate and strength. They struggled navigating hospital systems and accepting Rena's diagnosis. The idea of living donation was shared and Raquel immediately tested to hopefully become Rena's living donor. On September 8th, 2016, Raquel donated 60% of her liver to her mother, which forever changed both of their lives. Rena is healthy, happy, and is now able to spend precious time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Raquel continues to change lives as a Donate Life Ambassador with Donor Network West, sharing her story with local communities. As a DMV employee, Raquel is honored to represent many of the people that come into DMV offices, who are affected by organ, eye and tissue donation. In sharing her experience, Raquel hopes to inspire and support families going through what her family experienced. Raquel's dream is to also become a living kidney donor one day.