Honoring Heroes of Light

Families, friends, recipients, donor families, and supporters gathered at the New Mexico Donor Services office on Saturday, December 13th, for a powerful and heartfelt evening at the Heroes of Light Luminaria Celebration. As the sun set, we lit one luminaria for each of this year’s donor heroes, each glowing light representing a life-saving gift and a legacy that continues to shine.

We invited guests to personalize the evening by decorating a luminaria with a photo of their donor hero or by bringing a photo to place on one of the luminarias provided. These personal touches made the celebration deeply meaningful, transforming the space into a sea of light, love, and remembrance.

This year has already been a record-breaking one. So far, 108 donor heroes have saved 269 lives, and we expect the number of lives saved to grow. In 2023, donor heroes set our previous record by saving 241 lives through 95 donors, making this milestone especially meaningful for our community and the many families impacted by organ donation.

Adding to the spirit of community, Team New Mexico, our dedicated Transplant Games team, sold commemorative ornaments featuring photos of donor heroes for $10. These ornaments offer attendees a special way to carry their hero’s memory with them throughout the season and beyond.

The Heroes of Light Luminaria Celebration was more than an event; it was a reminder that even in loss, there is profound hope. We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended, shared their stories, and helped us honor the donor heroes whose light continues to guide and inspire us.

Together, we remember. Together, we celebrate life.