and welcome to "comunidad del valle." i'm damian trujillo, and today we're talking organ donation. on our show today is a family who is benefiting from organ donation on your "comunidad del valle." male announcer: nbc bay area presents "comunidad del valle" with damian trujillo. damian: well, we begin first today on "comunidad del valle" with the dangers of fireworks now that the 4th of july is right around the corner. here to kind of explain some of those dangers for us is battalion chief suwanna kerdkaew and also chief john justice of the deputy fire chief of the santa clara county fire department. welcome to the show. well, i mean, let me kind of emphasize the importance of treating fireworks with the danger that they should. you couldn't carry this in, and i couldn't carry this in. we had to have somebody bring this in.

talk about the--who brought those in and why that is. john justice: that was brought in actually by our chief arson investigator. these are--most of this--everything here is actually explosive, and when you deal with explosives it's really a law enforcement issue. and so we have several law enforcement folks on our department who actually go out and deal with all of the arson cases, fire investigation, but also, you know, the explosives, the fireworks. damian: and we, i mean, every 4th of july we put out the word. we issue the warnings. i mean, some of these are m-100s, i'm told. these are pretty powerful pieces of explosives. john: yes, powerful enough to actually blow your hand off. damian: wow, and that's happened before, right? there has been several cases where children and other adults have gotten, if not part, all of their hands blown off. suwanna kerdkaew: yeah, that's correct. in 2014 there were--there was a case in sunnyvale where a gentleman had a couple of fingers taken off. in san jose in the same year three fingers from a san jose

man, and unfortunately a young boy of 10 years old had part of his hand taken off. damian: and we do have some video that we've shot actually from one of the--above one of the hills, and, i mean, you're looking at the skyline of the bay area, and this is what you see constantly on the 4th of july. do you kinda sit back and cross your fingers, chief, when you see this and say, "i hope it's controlled"? john: what i always hope for is that if it's a public display that's actually permitted and licensed by the local fire department i'm pretty comfortable with it, but we still have to be careful about it. there's still safe zones. there's still things to be looked at. and from the flip side we also--you can see those images and realize those are just somebody in a neighborhood firin' 'em off, and that's what gives us such grave concerns about where is it gonna land? what if it doesn't explode? because some of the ordinates actually does not explode, and so our concern also is who's gonna find it? who's gonna pick it up, and what will happen with it?

damian: i mean, we had to have the arson investigator bring these in. these are 12-year-olds maybe who are firing off these fireworks, and you can see what the potential could be. john: and just as chief kerdkaew had talked about is that, yes, in the last 2 years ago we had several different incidents, and not only did, you know, they lose fingers, lose a portion of a hand, the impact that they have for the rest of their lives. so you look at they're all separate people, all separate incidents, but what's the ability for the, you know, the adult males to play catch with their kids. you know, here it is. this is baseball season. well, can you play catch with your kid, you know? can you do anything? what if you--were you able to retain your job? so that the impacts of the injuries and the accidents is another significant issue. damian: sure, so i guess the advice would be go out and enjoy the fireworks when they're, again, sanctioned by a fire department or what not. suwanna: yes, in santa clara county there are eight sanctioned displays, and they're located throughout the county.

you can find the location on the website, santa clara county fire's website. damian: now, you mentioned that these are explosives. i mean, there are crimes. this could be a potential crime if you're found in possession of some of these. john: we have examples in here that some of it just by local ordinance might only be a misdemeanor. some others ends up--some of the stuff that we have in actually are, yeah, it's felony stuff. if you were caught with these and you are cited with them it's a felony. damian: no need to--i guess we will mention the drought that we're just coming out or still in, depending on who you ask. that kind of poses a different kind of danger as well. john: when we have fireworks that leave the ground and take off to god knows where, then all of a sudden you start realizing we have many structures that are made out of combustible materials. you mentioned, you know, the drought and such things. well, a lot of--we're getting into the season where in california, northern california, that the brush turns brown. everything gets dry.

we have trees that have been stressed from years of drought to where they're not healthy and very combustible at this point in time. damian: just think before you act i guess is the advice because you will go to jail if something happens and you're found culpable. here's a web address of the santa clara county fire department if you'd like more information. any final thoughts from either of you at this point? john: yeah, i do have one, and just within the last couple of months some people, 2 years ago i believe it was, new york giant football player, jason pierre-paul i believe his name is, he went public a couple of months ago talking about that incident. and i think if you go to your internet search engine and put in "jason pierre-paul fireworks," you will see a "sports illustrated" 6-minute video of him talking and discussing it of what happened, how--some of it's pretty graphic, what happened to his hand and what it's done to him and the impact that he feels with it as far as what does it mean to him now with his son, with his family, and the rest. significant injuries happen all the time unfortunately,

which is why we're here, really, talking about it. there's over 10,000 injuries each year around our independence day based on illegal fireworks. damian: yeah, well, thank you for spreading the word, appreciate it. all right, and up next here on "comunidad del valle," the guelaguetza. stay with us. (whispering): what are you doing up? (whispering): mom said i could have a midnight snack. (whispering): well, i say it's late, and you need to go to bed. (whispering): why? (whispering): because i am the boss. (whispering): you're not the boss, mom's the boss. (whispering): well, technically, we are co-bosses. (whispering): technically, mom's the boss. mmmm. shhh.

mmmm... yoplait. around the corner. tomás gonzales is here to fill us in on this great festivity over at the santa clara county fairgrounds. welcome to the show. tomás gonzales: thank you very much for the invitation. damian: no, thank you. first of all, talk about guelaguetza 'cause it sounds like an ancient, native mexican word or tradition, verdad? tomás: that is correct, yes, it's practically i compare like a potluck. in the old days the native indigenous, when they didn't have funds to corporate for an event or wedding or something, so basically what they do is they contribute their--with, let's say, with corn, beans, or whatever they have they contribute, so that, we call that guelaguetza.

we make this event contributing whatever you have available at that time. that's in our language, zapateco, that's the meaning of the guelaguetza, contributing and sharing. it's community. damian: oh, so it's a southern mexico, oaxaca tradition then? tomás: the state of oaxaca. damian: oh, wow, so you're bringing that tradition here, and you've had it for a few years. talk about what happens, too. también es un potluck. tomás: yes, yes, so now this is the 9th year that we have it in santa clara county fairgrounds. basically, we bring--we wanna keep this alive with our children, the newer generations from oaxaca, not just only oaxaqueños. it's open to the whole community, but, yes, we're trying to get together. we have the live music, dance, the oaxacan food. we have all different artesañias, mercado de artesañias, so which bring us back, like, back home because some of a lot of our communities,

they cannot go back home. so here they feel like they are in oaxaca in that day because they enjoy the music. they enjoy the--it brings them back from where they come from where oaxaca is eight regions, so all these eight regions comes with their own dresses, with their own different music. damian: and their own language también. tomás: yes, yeah, different languages. you can feel the--from the coast you can feel it's--the music is more like alive. you can feel that from the north there's different type of songs, but it's very interesting. it will be very good for the community. now the kids are on vacation. i think it's a good opportunity for the parents to take them so they can learn a little bit more about a little bit of mexico, which is just the state of oaxaca. damian: yeah, no, you know, i grew up in greenfield, which is south of salinas, and that's a huge oaxacan population. they don't speak spanish. they don't speak english.

they speak zapotec. they speak mixtec. they speak triqui. just a rich culture, and they're here, and they're surviving, and they're succeeding. tomás: yes, that is correct. damian: so why is it important to not call it a fiesta or festival, to keep calling it la guelaguetza? tomás: because of what--that's the original name which is sharing, and i think it's been like that since then, so we--i mean, there's no way we can change it because it's the way we express ourselves. damian: do--is this is way for maybe non-oaxacans, maybe even non-mexicans, to come and learn maybe a little bit about the different culture? tomás: yes, yes, actually it's a colorful event, family event. there's no alcohol. i mean, it's very nice an event, and i'm sure they will like it. damian: all right, well, this guelaguetza, it's happening at the santa clara county fairgrounds coming up on june 26th. where--is there a phone number or a web address where they can dial up to get more information? tomás: yes, we have www.guelaguetzasj.com,

guelaguetzasj.com. damian: okay, and if not, then give us a call here at "comunidad del valle," and we'll put you in touch with the folks at the guelaguetza. thank you so much for bringing your traditions here to the silicon valley. tomás: you're welcome. my pleasure. damian: and up next here on "comunidad del valle," organ donation, someone who is actually succeeding after a transplant. stay with us.

here to tell us all about that is kristina ruiz-healy who is with the donor network west, and also rafael herrera is here because of an organ donation. you have a new kidney, verdad? welcome to the show. well, let me first ask you, how are you feeling, and when was it done? rafael: the transplant was done in july 10, 2010, so it's gonna be 6 years. damian: and how has it been? rafael: it's been perfect since then. i mean, i had a few problems at the beginning, but after 2 or 3 months everything went normal.

and as long as you keep up with the medication that you have to take on a daily basis and you take care of your kidney, which is a precious gift, everything is gonna be okay. damian: what is your--what was your reaction? because i'm sure a lot of folks who might in the situation might be a little scared, but what was your initial reaction when you found out that you needed a transplant? rafael: i was extremely sad. i had two children that were a very young age, and i was very concerned about my family. that was my first main concern. then, after learning how long it might take to get a kidney transplant and that you have to go on a waiting list and wait for--could be many years. i actually waited almost 8 years to get a transplant. damian: and that's dialysis then? rafael: that is dialysis, and then, again, dialysis gives you a lot of limitations because, number one, you have to go--if you have the hemodialysis you have to be connected to a machine three times a week,

or you have another option which is called a peritoneal dialysis in which you actually do it yourself at home, but you still have an incredible discipline 'cause you have to do it overnight, and then you have to exchange a solution that you have inside your body twice a day. so you have a lot of limitations, and your life is really--the quality of life is degraded. damian: and how has this agency helped you throughout this? rafael: oh, i--they help a lot because then initially you have to register. you have to be accepted to receive an organ, receive a kidney. once you are accepted you go on a waiting list, and they are the ones that work with the community and work with the people that actually donate their organs and with the families of these people that donate the organ. damian: and it sure sounds, kristina, that it's not one of those cases where--he's had it for 6 years.

it's not one of those where, okay, you have it, you can move on. it seems like you all still stay in touch and connected, and it's kind of like a post, if you will, there's also a post relationship here. kristina ruiz-healy: absolutely, donor network west is a nonprofit organization that focuses on healing and saving lives through organ and tissue donation, and in the case of rafael who is our ambassador, we stay in touch with him, and he works on our campaigns. our role in the community is to educate the community and let them know who we are and focus on transcending our message of organ and tissue donation and letting them know that our registry is available for them and that their role in the community, their role on the registry, can help and save lives. damian: and it's not easy. twenty-two thousand people on the waiting list? kristina: absolutely, we've got 22,000 people on the waiting list in the united states, 10,000 of which are in california, 40% of which in california are latinos.

damian: oh, now does that say anything to you or just the fact that the--do we need more latinos to register to become donors, or what's--what is the dilemma to help more people like rafael? kristina: well, yes, absolutely. we need to get our message out into the community to help the latinos that are on the list, so it's very important to educate them and let them know that their participation on the registry is critical to saving and healing more lives in the community. so that's why we have rafael who goes out and explains his story and lets them know that their participation helps heal and save lives. damian: now, there's different--correct me if i'm wrong--different donor organizations. it's just a matter of getting on a waiting list and waiting your turn and maybe going through dialysis for however many number of years that you have to go through? kristina: well, once you get on the list, then, yes, you have to wait, and that's the problem is that we don't have enough people on the list. so we have 22 dying each day in the country. damian: wow, your message to folks?

on my i.d. i have my donor sticker there. your message to those who do not have that donor sticker on their card. rafael: i would suggest that everybody gets in the donor--go to when they get the driver's license get that pink dot on their driver license because they're gonna save lives. they're gonna save families, and they, whomever donates an organ, is donating life. it's an incredible gift that someone will be always remembering you and appreciating what you have done for that person. damian: and if it wasn't for your donation, you receiving the donation, where would you be? i mean, still on dialysis? rafael: probably still on dialysis, or you never know. i probably wouldn't be here telling my story. damian: for your agency--you were gonna say something, go ahead. kristina: yes, we definitely want people to go online and register. we want people to go to the dmv and register when they get their driver's license. that's the best way they can participate. and definitely have a conversation with their family and let them know that they are registering.

we want this to be a conversation that they're having at home with their family members. damian: okay, we do have that web address for you if you'd like to maybe learn some more about the donor network west. there is a website for more information. we'll be back and talk more about this important topic when we continue. stay with us. [music]

"comunidad del valle," and we're holding up one of the flyers for the 10--5k or 10k? it's a 5k comin' up on september 10th. talk about why this is needed and who would benefit and all of that, if you will. kristina: definitely, this is a walk that--run-walk that we're having in walnut creek, and everybody in the community is invited to attend. and everybody who participates in this run-walk will receive a commemorative medal, and this is a fantastic run-walk, and a lot of people from donor network west and a lot of our recipients and donors will be at this event.

we're gonna have food, and we're gonna have music. and we're gonna have a lot of teams that our ambassadors will be putting together, so it's a lot of fun, and we really hope that you can come out and participate. and the funds that are raised will be--will go towards the donor family gatherings that donor network west put together. damian: and, rafael, your thoughts on the person, whoever it is--i don't know if you know that person yet who donated their organ to you. rafael: no, i don't know the person. i just have some--a little bit of information. i wrote their family a note after a couple of years of my transplant, but that person is in my mind continuously, every day, in my prayers every night. and i thank her because i know it was a female, thank her for what she did because she gave me life, and she gave me basically my family again and the capability of sharing with my kids their experiences of growing up.

now they are--one of them is almost done with college. the other one is a sophomore in college, so that person gave me the opportunity of sharing with them and my family and my wife all these experiences. it's amazing the feeling of gratitude that you have towards that person and that family as well. damian: what a powerful message. i would imagine, kristina, that this is half the reason, if not the entire reason, why you do what you do at the--at your agency, messages like this and stories like this. kristina: oh, absolutely, it's definitely an incredible experience to work with people like rafael and be out in the community and meet all of these incredible people. we have a lot of great partners and work with the transplant centers. damian: and the numbers are actually a little more alarming. twenty-two thousand in the state of california alone that are on the waiting list, and so that's who needs the help. and so your message to those who are teetering on whether they should become donors or not.

kristina: absolutely, definitely go online and register. talk to your family about the importance of becoming an organ donor, and talk to your community, and talk to your neighbors. and read about the issue, and please try to participate in our run-walk, and go to 5k.wdnwest.org to register. damian: all right, i mean, i would imagine that your message is one that resonates with people. do you think that you've convinced others to join the registry just by listening to your message over the years that you've done it? rafael: oh, i definitely have. i have done these. i have gone to other activities, and i always try to convey the message that you never know when it can happen to you or someone that--very close to you, but it can happen to anyone. damian: what is it about us latinos that we're--if we're low on the registry to become donors? i mean, i know there's some old traditions in some families

where, hey, you know, it's my body. i'm gonna be buried, entero, as a whole when i go, and there is--the thought process isn't there, you know, "what i have in me could potentially save lives." i mean, there's something, i don't know if it's within the culture or with just individual families, but that's prevalent out there. that's why there aren't enough latino donors. rafael: there could be many reasons, but one of them is that you say religion. but not long ago the pope came with a very strong message saying it is okay to donate life. it's fine with the catholic church to donate life. i think that helps a lot, and through the organization we promote the message from the pope, so it's okay to donate life. kristina: we are seeing more and more latinos registering, especially now with ab 60. our numbers are increasing with donation. damian: what kind of a change or impact do you think that can have on this--on the network, the donor network coming? i mean, i would imagine if, you know, you get these new millennials in who have their own way of

thinking than us old folks do, i would imagine that they-- you get more of them lining up. that could be kind of impactful on those 22,000 who are on that waiting list. kristina: well, absolutely. it will be a positive impact. with more people registering, more people talking about it, we will definitely, hopefully see a positive result. damian: and you kind of gave us a message, rafael, but if you could look at the camera, one is yours, if you can look in there and maybe your words to the person who--i don't know if they can even see us here, but who did donate that organ to you and your message to them. you kind of did a little bit, but this is gonna be recorded. rafael: i really--it's very difficult to express with words what i feel for that person, but the message is you allowed me to continue living my life, continue sharing my life with my family, with my wife, with my two children, and being a part of the community and an active part of the community because it's not only that kept me alive.

it's kept me--it's keeping me alive in a very, very good way. i'm able to be active. i'm able to do sports. i'm able to work, i'm able to be--to do everything as i was doing before. and the price that you paid for that is very little compared to the benefits that you get from being a recipient of an organ. damian: that's wonderful. that's wonderful. if you'd like more information on the--becoming a donor there is the web address for the donor network west and also an 800 phone number for you to call and found out more information. any final thoughts from either of you on this project? kristina: we definitely encourage people to talk to their families about organ and tissue donation once they register. damian: all right, any final thoughts? rafael: the same. i have to repeat her words. we encourage everybody to go on and register for organ donation. just don't be afraid of it. do it. damian: thank you so much, and good luck to you, all right. rafael: thank you very much. damian: and now here's what's happening in your

comunidad on "que pasa." [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music]

damian: and our saludos to those celebrating a special day. felicidades. [singing in a foreign language] damian: and here is our contact information here at "comunidad del valle," you can follow me on twitter. my handle is @newsdamian. also pick up a copy of "el observador" newspaper, and support your bilingual weeklies all across the bay area. you can also watch "comunidad del valle" en español every saturday at 5:30 p.m. on telemundo, canal 48, but beginning on july 3rd we're moving to sunday mornings at 11 a.m., your "comunidad del valle" en español. we thank you again for sharing a part of your sunday with us. we'll see you again here next week. paz a ustedes. [music] (whispering): what are you doing up? (whispering): mom said i could have a midnight snack. (whispering): well, i say it's late, and you need to go to bed.

(whispering): why? (whispering): because i am the boss. (whispering): you're not the boss, mom's the boss. (whispering): well, technically, we are co-bosses. (whispering): technically, mom's the boss. mmmm. shhh. mmmm... yoplait.

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