When their daughter Lucy was only 10 days old, Ray and Yesenia Kimura of Martinez California were told that their baby’s life was in jeopardy.

The diagnosis was biliary atresia, a chronic liver disease that becomes evident shortly after birth. Fortunately, Ray was a donor match and when Lucy was a toddler, he saved her life by giving a portion of his liver.

Lucy is currently nine-years-old, in excellent health, and shining as a tournament softball player. She plays in the ten-year-old division of Universal Fastpitch, a premier travel softball organization. This season she has pitched in 27 games and faced 316 batters, striking out 163.

“Lucy is a star pitcher known for her 52-miles-per-hour fastball. She is doing very well and is a force of nature,” says a proud Ray. 

Their connection to donation and transplantation has inspired the Kimura family to get involved at events that promote organ, eye, and tissue donation as a way to save and heal lives. For three years now, Ray, Yesenia, Lucy, and 12-year-old Carmen have participated at Donor Network West’s Donate Life Run/Walk 5K, 10K and Kids Dash. Since 2015, their team, I Love Lucy, has raised nearly $7,400 for organ and tissue donation education and research.

Now in its 8th year, the Donate Life Run/Walk will be held once again at Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek. Over 1,000 participants will join the Kimuras on September 8 to celebrate the Gift of Life, made possible by generous donors and their families. #Run4Life

One organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people and a tissue donor can heal more than 75 others. Anyone can register as a donor at the DMV or at DonorNetworkWest.org.

This Father’s Day and throughout the year, remember that the best gift is the Gift of Life.