Santa Barbara residents gathered on Leadbetter Beach for the 11th Annual Organ Donation Walk & BBQ, a community‑focused event organized by the nonprofit One Legacy. The walk began at the beach, proceeded to Stearns Wharf, and then returned, giving participants a scenic route while highlighting the importance of organ donation.

Personal Stories Highlight the Impact of Donation

Co‑founders of the event shared moving testimonies before the walk. Scott Burns recounted a life‑saving rescue while on a friend’s boat in the Channel Islands, which ultimately led to him receiving a kidney from the sister of Jennifer Guerra, Vivian. “Vivian died suddenly, basically Memorial Day 2015, I ended up getting her kidney,” Burns said. Guerra added, “If anybody would have ended up with my sister’s kidney I am so glad it was you.” Burns now considers Guerra’s family as his own.

Community and Student Involvement

Westmont College nursing students volunteered throughout the event, assisting at the information tent and engaging with attendees. Several students displayed the pink donor dot on their driver’s licenses, a visual reminder of their commitment to organ donation. The event also featured donor recipients who emphasized the importance of informing family and friends about one’s donation wishes.

How to Become a Donor

Organ donors can register online or at the Department of Motor Vehicles, where the pink donor dot can be added to a license plate. One Legacy encourages anyone interested to visit their website for more details.

Looking Ahead

The walk and barbecue not only celebrated a decade of awareness‑building efforts but also reinforced the community’s ongoing commitment to saving lives through organ donation. Organ donation remains a critical health issue, and events like this provide a local platform for education, personal connection, and actionable steps for residents.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.