On October 16, 2021, Donate Life Texas* and Joey Gase teamed up for an organ, eye and tissue donor tribute. The honorees selected by DLT: organ and tissue donor Jordan Santiago, living donor Lisa James and two-time heart recipient Lemuel Bradshaw, along with 173 other Texans’ Handprints of Hope featured on Gase’s car at the Texas Motor Speedway as a way to honor those whose lives have been impacted by donation and transplantation.
Jordan was known as a cheerful giver with the heart of a servant. His life was marked by the excellence of achievement, community service and his gift to draw people and connect with others. His giving heart and passion to help others drove his family to support and say “yes” to donation. Jordan saved five lives through his gift of six organs and healed many others through tissue donation. His gifts to medical research and education will be of great benefit to countless others.
“We find joy in knowing that people are living because of Jordan as well as knowing that his life and legacy continue. That is why we had created the iCare Live Life Give Life program at Jordan iCare Foundation. Jordan lived his life always giving and serving, and he was able to save many lives thereafter. As we partner with Southwest Transplant Alliance, we want to continue promoting life through organ donation in alignment to his life purpose.” – Andrew Santiago, Jordan’s father.
*The Donate Life Texas is a member of the Southwest Transplant Alliance and it is the only, official organ, eye and tissue donor registry for the state of Texas. You can register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at https://www.donatelifetexas.org/register/.
About Joey Gase
Gase developed a passion for educating others on the need for organ, eye and tissue donation and honoring all of those affected by donation and transplantation. His car regularly features the face of his mother, other donors, organ and tissue recipients and those waiting, making his one of the most unique cars in NASCAR.
In what has become an annual tradition for what Gase calls “Handprints of Hope,” organ, eye and tissue honorees, including family and friends, were invited to submit virtual handprints and messages of hope to be displayed on the Donate Life Texas #52 car.
For Gase, the Donate Life mission is personal. He has been a passionate advocate for Donate Life Organ, Eye and Tissue Donor Registries across the U.S. since his mother passed away and became a donor in 2011. Gase was awarded the COMCAST Community Champion of the Year in 2015 for his work supporting Donate Life.
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