{"id":303665,"date":"2025-12-04T13:17:11","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T21:17:11","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-12-08T09:59:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T17:59:43","slug":"dmv-team-members-recognized-for-organ-donation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/news-and-media\/dmv-team-members-recognized-for-organ-donation\/","title":{"rendered":"DMV Team Members Recognized for Organ Donation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Contact: \u00a0Office of Public Affairs
2415 First Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657\u20136437 |\u00a0dmvpublicaffairs@dmv.ca.gov<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What you need to know: <\/strong>The DMV held a media event with Donate Life California today to recognize DMV team members who will be honored at the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade for their extraordinary contributions through organ donation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sacramento <\/strong>\u2014 The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today honored two DMV team members for their extraordinary contributions through organ donation. They will be honored during the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena on January 1. The DMV held the media event with Donate Life California<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Raquel Armstrong shared the story of how she donated 60% of her liver to extend her mother\u2019s life. Rena Aguirre was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver in 2016. \u201cOrgan donation gave my mother a second chance at life,\u201d said Ms. Armstrong. \u201cI encourage everyone to sign up to be an organ donor. It\u2019s a simple act, but it carries the power to save lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raquel will walk alongside the Donate Life float during the parade to represent living donors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zeida Woods honored her late brother, Carlos Woods, who donated his heart after dying suddenly at 18 years. Earlier in the year of his death, Mr. Woods got his driver\u2019s license and checked the box to become an organ donor. \u201cCarlos didn\u2019t get the chance to live past 18, but his legacy did,\u201d said Ms. Woods. \u201cI am inspired every day by his selflessness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her brother\u2019s memory was commemorated with a floral portrait, or floragraph, unveiled during today\u2019s ceremony at DMV headquarters in Sacramento. Mr. Woods\u2019 floragraph will appear on the Donate Life float, titled \u201cTreasure Every Moment Together (PDF)<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Treasure Every Moment Together” Float<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s Donate Life float will feature lush florals, great hornbill birds and monarch butterflies, which will symbolize the life that can bloom from organ, eye and tissue donation. 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. The need for more organ donors remains great. Every day, 150 people are added to the national organ transplant waiting list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more at 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