Arlington native P.J. Wolf donated organs to save Dallas resident

Currently, nearly 124,000 men, women and children are awaiting organ transplants in the United States. More than 11,000 of those are Texans, and on average, 22 people die every day waiting for a transplant according to Donate Life Texas. At just 8-years-old, P.J. Wolf of Arlington, Texas understood the urgent need for organ donation, and his generosity was recognized at the nationally-televised 2017 Rose Parade where he was featured on the Donate Life Rose Parade Float, which was sponsored by Donate Life and Dignity Memorial.

More than 25 years ago, P.J. jumped on his bike and set off through his Arlington neighborhood, but that bike ride would be his last. When asked about organ donation, his parents knew without a doubt it was what he wanted; months earlier, after watching a kidney transplant story on the news, P.J. had asked his mother if he could give.

On the receiving end of P.J.’s donation was Dallas-native Katy Portell, who was gifted a heart valve that ultimately saved her life. Katy also rode on the Donate Life Rose Parade Float and met P.J.’s family in Pasadena, CA for the first time in an emotional meeting that honored the gift of both their lives.