Organ donors increase in California, as undocumented residents become eligible for driver's licenses

Organ donors increase in California

"BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) - There has been a recent hike in people registering as organ donors in California.

"Reports show that the increase just might be linked to AB 60, the new law helping undocumented residents obtain driver's licenses. More than 60,000 people have been added to the California organ and tissue donor registry, bringing it up 29 percent from the same time last year.

"Lori Malkin is the founder of JJ's Legacy, a local nonprofit group aimed at educating the community about the importance of becoming an organ donor.

"If you are registered donor, you can save and heal lives through organ, eye, and tissue donations," said Malkin.

She launched JJ's Legacy in honor of her son, Jeffery Johns.

"I am a donor mother. My son was killed in an automobile accident and died from a head injury," said Malkin. "He had the opportunity to donate all of his organs and his corneas and tissue. He enhanced and saved eight lives through organ donation, and he also enhanced and saved 58 lives through tissue and cornea donation."