Introducing Our Heroes

A woman and man in hospital bed smiling for the camera.

Annette Marie Topping

Living Donor

Location: Houston, TX
Date of Donation: 08/11/2009
Hospital: The Methodist Hospital

“Every time you go away, you take a piece of me with you…” — these are the lyrics to a song that my daughter, Annette and I used to laugh at when it was popular in the nineties. Now, we laugh at it for its literal meaning, because, in August, 2009, she gave me the best birthday present I ever got – her healthy right kidney. For several years, my kidney failure from Type 1…

Organ Donor Hall of Fame Icon
A young boy sitting at the table with his hands in his pockets.

Zachary Torres

Organ Donor

Age: 11
Location: Slaton, TX

Sylvia and Abe Torres lost their son, Zachary when he was 11years-old. He passed away on Jan. 3, 2005. Zachary was able to save the lives of others because he was a compassionate young man that wanted to be a hero in all facets of his young life. Zachary dreamed of leaving the little town of Slaton, Texas and making it big to be the next Julius Jones or Roy Williams, both National Football League…

Organ Donor Hall of Fame Icon
A man wearing glasses and a hat standing on top of a wooden deck.

Rocky Trammell

Organ Donor

Age: 20
Date of Donation: 07/04/2014

Rocky Trammell, at the age of 20, gave the gift of life. On July 3, 2014 he succumbed to injuries resulting from a severe car accident. On July 4, 2014, he donated Post Circulatory death, which meant his heart stopped beating. He was able to donate his liver, kidneys, eyes and tissue. Rocky was an amazing father, son, and friend. The love he had for his son Kaden was priceless, and he loved spending time…

Organ Donor Hall of Fame Icon
A man in black jacket smiling for the camera.

Benjamin Tucker

Tissue Donor, Eye Donor

Age: 24
Location: Blue Ridge. Texas
Date of Donation: 05/10/2022
Hospital: UT Southwestern

Ben was born and raised in the Texas panhandle. I’m sure you’ve heard the common saying “everything is bigger in Texas”…well, that his how Ben lived and loved. BIG. His smile was big. His personality was big. His heart was big. His laugh was big. His career was big. When Ben walked into a room, he commonly stole the show.  He captivated others with his smile, laugh, and his kind nature. He made friends wherever…

Organ Donor Hall of Fame Icon
A young person wearing a graduation cap and gown.

Alma Ugalde

Organ Donor

Age: 10
Location: Houston, TX
Hospital: Ben Taub General Hospital

I am a mother to a child organ donor, her name is Alma. Last May, a brain hemorrhage took her life. Everything happened so fast. From night to morning my daughter was gone. Alma was a marvelous young girl. She and I would often have talks about organ donation. Since I’ve always been a registered donor, I would always tell her that if anything would happen to me, I would want her to donate every…

Organ Donor Hall of Fame Icon
A young boy is smiling for the camera.

Giovanni Valle

Tissue Donor, Eye Donor

Age: 13
Location: Riverside
Date of Donation: 11/12/2014
Hospital: Riverside Community

Giovanni Valle That Went By GIO, Was A Fun Loving & Caring Boy No Matter What Day It Was Or What Situation He Was In. He Always Found The Fun & Good Side Of Life. Gio Was The Middle Child Of 4 Kids, Loved Creating Content For YouTube & Enjoyed Late Night Walks With His Family. Before Leaving, He Mentioned To His Dad That He Wanted To Help Others In Need & That One Day…

Organ Donor Hall of Fame Icon
A man in blue shirt and glasses sitting on the ground.

Sgt. Brandon Vance

Living Donor

Age: 27
Location: Dallas, TX
Date of Donation: 07/27/2011
Hospital: Medical City

One day I was driving late to work. I was listening to the radio as is usually my routine. A woman was being interviewed for a promotional deal at a convenience store. The interviewer asked the woman, Is there anything else we can get for you? The woman answered, Yeah, I could use a new kidney if anybody is out there. My first thought was, this is something I have to do. I immediately pulled…

Organ Donor Hall of Fame Icon
A man with a shaved head and blue shirt.

Anthony Varela

Organ Donor

Age: 18
Location: Dallas, TX
Date of Donation: 08/10/2010
Hospital: Baylor Hospital

On August 8, 2010 at 1:18am, the SUV my son was riding in along with some friends, was struck by a drunk driver and my son was ejected from the vehicle. He had a large laceration to the back of his head along with other injuries. The head injury caused Anthony’s brain to swell. After hours of running tests, they determined my son was brain dead. My son was a very happy, loving, caring, affectionate…

Organ Donor Hall of Fame Icon
A man with glasses and mustache wearing sunglasses.

George Dennis Vargas

Organ Donor

Age: 49
Location: El Paso, TX
Date of Donation: 07/08/2009
Hospital: University of Texas Hospital

George was the 3rd of the eldest, of the seven children born to Mr. Joe J. & Mrs. Stella Vargas. Growing up, George loved playing baseball. He played with PAL (Police Athalete Leage.) He also loved playing the drums. He served his country with the United States Army as a mechanic. But most of all, he loved climbing the Tortugas Mountain in Las Cruces, New Mexico which is Our Family Tradition. Our family climbs and…

Organ Donor Hall of Fame Icon
A man standing next to a patient in a hospital bed.

Tom Walter

Living Donor

I am Kevin Jordan’s college baseball coach at Wake Forest University. August 25th, 2010 was Kevin’s first day of class as a freshman student. Normally, that alone would be the most noteworthy event of an 18 year olds life. For Kevin, however, his first class at Wake wasn’t even the most noteworthy event of the day. It was also the day he and his parents were told “Kevin will need a kidney transplant”. Up to…

Organ Donor Hall of Fame Icon