My Hero. Joaquin Ayala III. On June 13th I will mark my two year transplant anniversary and to say I have some feelings surrounding the day would be a hell of an understatement. It helps tremendously that Joaquin's mother Melissa has allowed me to be a part of the families grieving process as they remember the loss of their dear Joaquin. My donor hero. These are the words of Joaquin's mother. He was my donor angel just a few days later on June 13, 2020. "On this date (June 7, 2022), in 2020, I received the call that every parent dreads...the call that changed our lives forever. Noah, I am so thankful that you were there with him and you were the one I received the call from. There are so many that die alone and are found cold and blue with no life left. You being there enabled me to have time with my son that many aren't fortunate enough to have. Of course we didn't know it at the time but you being there enabled Joaquin to be a hero to others by donating his org