Liver transplant recipient aims to inspire others to join the organ donor registry
Oct. 22, 2025 (San Ramon, Calif.) – Within the span of one month in summer 2022, Angelo Reyes went from his normal day-to-day activities as a working father to fighting for his life.
Reyes was unaware he had hepatitis B, which caused his skin to yellow and his body to hold excess fluid, and led to his rapid liver failure. As a Filipino American, he learned that while Asian Americans constitute only 6% of the U.S. population, they comprise over half of hepatitis B patients. At just 47 years old, he was placed on the national transplant waiting list alongside the nearly 9,500 patients across the U.S. who need a life-saving liver transplant.
In recognition of October being Liver Awareness Month, Reyes is joining Donor Network West to share his story to inspire others in the Filipino and Asian American communities to learn about the impact of organ donation and take liver health seriously. The American Liver Foundation offers a free online assessment to help individuals determine their risk for liver disease, and also provides recipes for a liver-healthy diet.
“I wouldn’t even be here right now if it weren’t for my donor and his family,” said Reyes. “I do my best all the time to live my life, not only for myself, but to honor my donor.”
As a nonprofit organ procurement organization (OPO), Donor Network West works with transplant centers and over 170 hospitals to coordinate the donation and transplantation of life-saving organs throughout northern California and northern Nevada. The organization works with organ donation advocates like Reyes to help educate communities about the life-saving impact of organ, eye and tissue donation.
“Organ donation saves lives for patients like Angelo whose health unexpectedly declined,” said Janice Whaley, PhD., president and CEO, Donor Network West. “Donor Network West is committed to highlighting the inspiring stories of transplant recipients to raise critical awareness of organ donation across our service area in northern California and northern Nevada.”
Since receiving his transplant in 2022, Reyes celebrated his 50th birthday, he stood beside his brother as his best man at his wedding and he has cheered on his mom at her ballroom dancing competitions. He also attended the Canelo-Crawford fight in Las Vegas in September 2025––considered a momentous matchup in the world of boxing, which is one of Reyes’ biggest passions.
The need for organ donation is significant and continues to grow nationwide with someone added to the organ transplant waiting list every eight minutes. Those interested in learning more about organ, eye and tissue donation, or joining the organ donor registry can visit DonorNetworkWest.org. Those interested in learning more about liver health can go to liverfoundation.org.
Donor Network West saves and heals lives by facilitating organ and tissue recovery for transplantation and research. Established in 1987, Donor Network West is designated and certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), is a member of the Organ Donation Alliance and is an official Donate Life organization. Donor Network West is federally designated to serve 45 counties in northern California and northern Nevada, Donor Network West partners with the Department of Motor Vehicles and the state-authorized donor registries to help increase donor registration. For information, visit www.DonorNetworkWest.org and follow us on social media: @mydnwest.
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