Mayor Musby proclaims April 2025 DMV Donate Life California Month in Longboat

Lompoc City Council has officially declared April 2025 as DMV Donate Life California Month, emphasizing the critical need for organ, eye, and tissue donations. Mayor Jim Musby led the proclamation during the council meeting, highlighting that over 103,000 individuals nationwide, including more than 23,000 in California, are currently on the organ transplant waiting list. Alarmingly, 17 people die each day while waiting for a transplant, underscoring the urgency of this issue, particularly within Hispanic, Latino, and African American communities.

The proclamation encourages residents to register as organ donors when applying for or renewing their driver's licenses or ID cards at the California DMV. It also promotes online registration through the Donate Life California website, making it accessible for all Californians. Mayor Musby noted that a single donor can save up to eight lives, while tissue donations can heal and save the lives of over 75 others.

Scott Burns, a kidney transplant recipient, shared his personal story during the meeting, illustrating the life-saving impact of organ donation. He urged community members to consider signing up as donors, likening the daily loss of life due to organ shortages to a small airplane crash occurring weekly—an event that would garner significant media attention if it were to happen.

The proclamation will be showcased at the annual run/walk event in Los Angeles later this month, further promoting the importance of organ donation awareness. The city council's initiative aims to inspire Lompoc residents to take action and potentially save lives through their donations.