{"id":262463,"date":"2024-12-12T10:47:13","date_gmt":"2024-12-12T18:47:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/?page_id=262463"},"modified":"2024-12-12T10:59:35","modified_gmt":"2024-12-12T18:59:35","slug":"dmv-team-members-honored-for-life-changing-acts-of-organ-donation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/news-and-media\/dmv-team-members-honored-for-life-changing-acts-of-organ-donation\/","title":{"rendered":"DMV Team Members Honored for Life-Changing Acts of Organ Donation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Contact: Office of Public Affairs
2415 First Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657\u20136437 | dmvpublicaffairs@dmv.ca.gov<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sacramento<\/strong> \u2013 The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), in partnership with Donate Life California<\/a>, today honored DMV team members Shannon Walling (Sacramento), Veronica Salas (Sacramento), and Patricia Gardner (Oxnard) for their extraordinary contributions through organ donation. These individuals will be honored during the 2025 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena on January 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honoring Loved Ones and Giving the Gift of Life<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shannon Walling will honor her late husband, Jay Walling, who donated his corneas after passing in 2023. \u201cJay was a loving husband, stepfather, and a generous man,\u201d Shannon shared. \u201cHe would be proud to know his gift restored the sight of a veteran who now volunteers to help others.\u201d Jay\u2019s memory is commemorated with a floral portrait, or floragraph, unveiled during a special ceremony at DMV headquarters. His floragraph will appear on the Donate Life float, titled \u201cLet Your Life Soar (PDF)<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veronica Salas shared her story of donating a kidney to her father, Ontiveros \u201cJos\u00e9\u201d Salas. \u201cMy father instilled in me the importance of selflessness,\u201d Veronica said. \u201cDonating my kidney was a way to honor him and encourage others to consider becoming donors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patricia Gardner recounted how her kidney donation sparked a six-person organ exchange, benefiting her children\u2019s stepmother and multiple others. \u201cOrgan donation gave three families\u2014including my own\u2014the gift of more time with their loved ones,\u201d Patricia reflected. \u201cYou never know how many lives your choice can touch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veronica and Patricia will walk alongside the Donate Life float during the parade, representing living donors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet Your Life Soar\u201d Float<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s Donate Life float draws inspiration from Japan\u2019s Children\u2019s Day, showcasing vibrant koi-shaped flags (Koi Nobori) symbolizing strength, courage, and health. Floragraphs of donors will adorn the float, honoring those who have given the gift of life, sight, and health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DMV and Donate Life California<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since partnering with Donate Life California in 2006, the DMV has helped register over 19 million organ, eye, and tissue donors\u201495% of whom signed up while visiting a DMV office. Despite this progress, the need remains great. Every day, 150 people are added to the national organ transplant waiting list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn how organ donors save lives by visiting Donate Life California\u2019s FAQ<\/a>. To register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor, visit donatelifecalifornia.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Event Media<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n