Shannon Medical Center Holds Memorial for Organ Donor

SAN ANGELO, TX – Shannon Medical Center and the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance celebrated the life of Abel Romero on Thursday, June 4. 

Abel Romero, 51, often known as the "Gentle Giant", suffered a brain aneurysm last week and has been at Shannon since. Unfortunately doctors and family members knew that it was his time and decided to take him off of life support. 

"He was such a great man! Always the jokester and made everyone smile," family members stated in a GoFundMe set up to help cover hospital bills and funeral costs. "He had such an infectious smile and personality and would give his shirt to anyone that needed it." That giving personality kept with him through the end as the family decided to donate Romero's organs. 

In San Angelo the group that collects the organs is known as the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance.  TOSA was founded in 1975, is one of 58 federally-designated organ procurement organizations (OPOs) in the United States. TOSA is committed to a mission of saving lives through the power of organ donation by providing organ donation and recovery services to Central and South Texans wishing to donate, and to those waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.

"When someone signs up to be an organ donor, it means they can potentially save eight lives. If they are a cornea and tissue donor, they can save or enhance more than 75 lives," said Amanda Garcia, Communications Coordinator for TOSA. "Currently there are more than 10,000 Texans awaiting a life-saving organ transplant. Organ donation is a gift of life that gives people a second chance." 

Romero did just that after he officially passed away yesterday at 5:43 p.m and now his organs could be shipped across the country to help someone in need. 

Shannon and TOSA celebrated Romero's life on Thursday by having a walk thru the hospital followed by the raising of the donor flag. During this time Romero's family and loved ones gathered along with members of Shannon to remember the life Abel had and the impact he left behind. Here is a video of them raising the flag: 

The ceremony was completed by a prayer followed by a moment of silence that was not only to remember Abel but to remember what his life will mean to those on the donor list. 

To donate to Abel Romero's GoFundMe follow the link here.