Isaac Hernandez built his life around helping strangers.
Whether he was pulling over to assist someone on the side of the road or lending a hand to a neighbor in need, Isaac rarely passed up an opportunity to help. His mother, Maria, said compassion defined every part of his life.
“He knew everybody, and everybody knew him,” Maria said. “He would’ve given you the clothes off his back.”
Isaac worked as a tow truck driver, loved riding his motorcycle and treasured time with his family. He was the father of three daughters, grandfather of four and someone people naturally turned to when they needed help.
“Going out on his motorcycle was his therapy,” Maria said. “I always knew when he was coming because I recognized the sound of his motorcycle pulling into my driveway.”
When Isaac suffered a devastating medical emergency, his family honored his decision to become an organ donor through donation after circulatory death (DCD).
DCD allows organ donation to occur after a patient’s heart stops following the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. This pathway honors a patient’s decision to donate and provides an opportunity for their gift to save lives.
Maria said the care team gave the family time to be together, answer questions and prepare to say goodbye.
“It hurt to let him go, but I knew in my heart it was time,” she said. “I did what he wanted me to do.”
For Maria, honoring Isaac’s wishes was another way to continue the kindness and compassion that defined his life.
“I found comfort knowing my son was out there somewhere doing something good still,” she said.
Through organ donation, Isaac’s lifelong commitment to helping others continued, giving hope and a second chance to people waiting for lifesaving transplants.
Isaac’s gift also inspired Maria to make a decision of her own. Although she had never registered as an organ donor, she said renewing her driver’s license after Isaac’s death changed her perspective.
“I wasn’t an organ donor originally,” Maria said. “When I renewed my license, I felt him poking me saying, ‘Just get the little red heart.'”
Today, she hopes others will consider registering as organ donors and understand the impact that decision can have on families waiting for hope.
“I wish more people knew organ donation is about saving people,” Maria said. “Isaac’s story didn’t end the day we said goodbye. It lives on in the people whose lives he helped save.”
You have the power to save lives by registering your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at LifeShareOK.org.
