Saving lives through organ donation

There are hundreds of people on the waiting list for an organ transplant in Monterey County.

George Grimm, Salinas, says he might not be here if it wasn’t for the Fuentes family. The Fuentes family decided to donate their loved one’s organs nearly two years ago.

On Saturday, Grimm helped put the finishing touches on the ‘Donate Life’ float that will be in The Rose Parade in Pasadena next month. He did so alongside the brother of the man who gave him a heart and a kidney. That brother, Freddie Fuentes, is also a close friend of Grimm’s.

“My brother [Sisto] was an artist,” Freddie Fuentes said. “He was a rapper. He was just a really amazing person. Knowing that he saved a close, personal friend of mine really warms my heart and helps our family deal with the grieving process.”

For Grimm, the donations mean a huge change in his life. Grimm had heart problems for 21 years and was waiting for a new heart for three years.

“I’m walking 2.5 miles a day,” Grimm said. “At the least, I ride a bike 5 or 6 miles, as much as I can. I can finally jog again, which I couldn’t do for 6 years. I get to do what I’ve done the best. And that’s coach baseball, help the football programs.”

He also gets to spend time with the man he shares a special bond with.

“We see each other on average once a week and you would think we were brothers,” Grimm said.

“I get in these moments where I truly just really miss my brother and I can call George and say ‘George come here, I need a hug.’ And I hug George and I can feel my bother’s heart beating and that’s incredible to me.’

A floral portrait dedicated to Sisto Funetes will be placed on the float. Grimm will ride on the float alongside 23 other transplant recipients on New Year’s Day.

“The main message I want to get out and to honor my brother is to say, you know, you never know whose life you’re going to save.”