An organ donor saved my life. Consider becoming one today | Opinion

In 1970, my life changed forever when I became sick with autoimmune hepatitis, where my own body repeatedly attacked my liver. Twenty years later, I received the gift of life through a liver transplant that’s given me 36 more years and counting.

Because of the kindness and love of one organ donor and their family, I am alive and well 56 years after my “incurable” disease diagnosis. I try to live by the golden rule of “do unto others as you want others to do unto you,” and I’m so grateful my donor hero did, too.

I am living proof of the lifesaving power of this priceless gift and the joy that can come after trials.

When I was first diagnosed, I was told that I would likely need a new liver within five years to survive. Ultimately, I was able to live 20 years before receiving a liver transplant conducted by Dr. Nancy Ascher at the UC San Francisco. Despite progressing through my illness to the top of the transplant list, I kept thinking “Why me?” when so many other people also needed a liver.

I also think of the sacrifice my donor’s family made by selflessly allowing me to have the gift of life after suffering their own loss. My family and I marvel at how many blessings I have lived to receive because of that choice. With my new liver and restored health, I lived to raise my two precious children. I’ve also survived to see my four beautiful grandchildren grow up and thrive. My remarkable donor and their kindhearted family gave me the opportunity to experience these blessings and so many more.

When I was diagnosed with my autoimmune disease, I was an elementary school teacher in Sacramento — having taught at Freeport Elementary, Joseph Bonnheim Elementary, Mark Twain Elementary and Pacific Elementary schools over the course of my career. Many of my students lived in poverty and neglect, and I tried to help them any way I could. After taking a year off for my transplant, I returned to the classroom as both a teacher and a student.

I taught children and studied to become a lay speaker in my church. Years later, I retired from education and continue to be a lay leader and speaker. None of this would have been possible without the generous organ donor who saved my life.

I believe life is an adventure to live to the fullest, and I am doing that every day. To celebrate my donor and raise awareness, I became a Donate Life Ambassador with Sierra Donor Services. I believe God gave me the gift of listening to others, and I am here to hear the hesitations and questions many still have about registering as an organ donor.

As a Black transplant recipient, I also like to remind the community why it’s important for people of all races to register to save lives. A disproportionate number of people in the Black community are awaiting a lifesaving gift like the one I received so many years ago. The more people who are registered, the more lives we have the potential to transform.

Winnie Bender is a Sacramento transplant survivor and a Sierra Donor Services ambassador.

This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "An organ donor saved my life. Consider becoming one today | Opinion."