"Yo Soy Chuco" A transplant survivor story

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Updated: 9/01/2012 9:27 am

SAN ANTONIO - It is every mother's fear, a newborn in need of urgent medical care, and in the case of three month-old Robert Garcia a liver transplant.  But that was more than 20 years ago.  Today, Robert who likes to be called “Chuco” is 21, and he survived that liver transplant when he was a baby, and now inspires others to never give up.

“I've been living on my liver transplant, and I'm a survivor of 20 years, and now I'm having to deal with kidney issues, and sooner or later I will need a kidney transplant” says Chuco who is hoping for a donor soon.

Chuco is also a youth inspirational speaker.  And proud of his Mexican-American heritage loves to wear "Zoot suits" when he speaks at schools.  He also shares his story in an autobiographical documentary he has produced. His dreams is to go back to school and be a filmmaker, and wants to inspire others to also follow their dreams.

His mother Estella remembers how hard it was when Robert was a baby, but she is proud of his strength and accomplishments “I encourage him to keep going, to be active and never give up” she says.  

And her son is listening, and asking others to do the same. "Everyday just waking up in the morning, I thank God for just being there for me every day, every second of the day.... I don't live by days, I live by seconds.... Every second that I get to move is a blessing for me” says Chuco as he tells others to appreciate life, be good and help others.

To learn more about Chuco visit: www.chucogarcia.com

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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of News 4 WOAI (WOAI.com)

LIFESHARERS - 9/1/2012 11:25 AM
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Your story about Robert “Chuco” Garcia and Organ Donation highlighted the tragic shortage of human organs for transplant operations. There are now over 115,000 people on the National Transplant Waiting List, with over 50% of these people dying before they get a transplant. Most of these deaths are needless. Americans bury or cremate 20,000 transplantable organs every year. There is a simple way to put a big dent in the organ shortage – give donated organs first to people who have agreed to donate their own organs when they die. Giving organs first to organ donors will convince more people to register as organ donors. It will also make the organ allocation system fairer. Everyone who is willing to receive should be willing to give. Anyone who wants to donate their organs to others who have agreed to donate theirs can join LifeSharers. LifeSharers is a non-profit network of organ donors who agree to offer their organs first to other organ donors when they die. Membership is free at www.lifesharers.org or by calling 1-888-ORGAN88. There is no age limit, parents can enroll their minor children, and no one is excluded due to any pre-existing medical condition. LifeSharers has over 15,000 members as of this writing, including 1214 members in Texas. Please contact me - Dave Undis, Executive Director of LifeSharers - if your viewers would like to learn more about our innovative approach to increasing the number of organ donors. I can arrange interviews with some of our local members if you're interested. My email address is daveundis@lifesharers.org. My phone number is 615-351-8622.
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