Mayor's Message - April 2024

Mayor's Message - April 2024

Dear Residents,

Spring has arrived in Aliso Viejo, which marks the season of renewal, change, and goodwill. This month, we are shining the spotlight on the DMV's Donate Life initiative to focus on the importance of organ donation and the life-giving impact it has on those who need it most.

The donation of organ, eye, tissue, marrow, and blood are recognized worldwide as expressions of compassion and service to others, and an astonishing number of individuals are unable to receive the help they need. More than 100,000 individuals nationwide and more than 20,000 individuals in California alone are currently on the national organ transplant waiting list, and on average, 17 people die each day while waiting to receive donations. With your help and that of other generous donors, we can help make lifechanging impacts to reduce these numbers. With a single individual's donation of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and small intestine, one person can save up to eight lives, and the donation of tissue can save and heal the lives of more than 75 others. Any person can register to become a donor regardless of age or medical condition, and this will not impact the quality of life-saving medical care that an organ donor receives in the event they are involved in an emergency.

At times, issues like these can feel impersonal and someone else's responsibility, but for me, organ donation is extremely personal and very important. In 2018, my health started to wane and after a couple stomach surgeries and other procedures, it was clear that my lungs were the primary focus of my problems. Shockingly, on June 12, 2020, I was given 5-6 months to live and a lung transplant was my only hope for survival. After many tests at the hospital, generous gifts of time from my friends and family and many prayers, I received the call that a matching pair of lungs was available. We raced to UC San Diego and I had a double-lung transplant on September 23, 2020 and I've been working hard to get stronger ever since. I had mere weeks to live & the thoughtful generosity of an unknown doner saved my life.

To support the efforts of this initiative, Aliso Viejo has officially declared April as Donate Life Month, to encourage residents to check "YES!" online or when applying for or renewing their driver's license or I.D. card at the DMV. If you are interested in learning more and signing up to become a donor, you may visit donatelifecalifornia.org. This honorable act can save thousands of lives and I hope you are able to become part of this movement.

Mayor Mike Munzing

Any views or opinions expressed in this message belong solely to the Mayor.