organ donor

Reno physician, Dennis Yamamoto, MD, married his wife, Mary (Oberski) Yamamoto, in 1976. Both from large families, their wedding boasted a guest list of 375 people and it was a multi-day affair. It was a big start to what would be nearly 45 years of marriage as they pursued careers — Dr. Yamamoto in medicine and Mary in social work — raised their twin children and celebrated becoming grandparents to four grandsons.

Donna Kapala never expected to be a complete match but, after a series of tests, she learned that one of her kidneys could save the life of someone she met 41 years prior on a teaching assignment to Australia. Her friend Sheila Hoban, one of the “six amigas,” was on the national waiting list and thanks to Kapala’s life-saving gift, she is alive and healthy today.

Donor Network West hosted a special remembrance event to honor the legacy of Elizabeth “Lizzy” Hammond, which gathered family, friends and caregivers at Fianna’s Healing Garden at Renown Regional Medical Center.

A memorial portrait of Lizzy was crafted entirely out of organic materials and was featured on the Donate Life float at the 133rd Rose Parade Jan. 1, 2022 in Pasadena, Calif. The portrait — also called a “floragraph” — was gifted to her family during the remembrance event Tuesday, Aug. 16.

Donor Network West, the federally designated non-profit organ procurement organization for northern Nevada and northern California, will honor three organ donation recipients and two families whose loved ones donated organs at the 133rd Rose Parade happening Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 in Pasadena, Calif.

RENO — Donor Network West, the federally designated Organ Procurement Organization for northern Nevada and northern California, is urging Nevadans to help support organ and tissue donation during National Donate Month Life by purchasing the Nevada Organ Donor specialty license plate.