This Campaign Turns Spare Car Parts into New Medium to Promote Organ Donation in Puerto Rico

In an effort to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation, Fundación Stefano is promoting a campaign titled 'Car Parts for Life', which uses vehicles with spare parts as a new mass medium to spread the message across Puerto Rico. The initiative features inspiring success stories from eight individuals whose lives were transformed thanks to the generosity of organ donors.

One of the pillars of the campaign is the legacy of Stefano Steenbakkers, a young Puerto Rican who had a deep passion for cars from an early age. Tragically, Stefano lost his life during a carjacking in 2012. Despite the tragedy, his legacy lives on. As an organ donor, Stefano saved five lives, and his story is at the heart of this campaign.

This innovative campaign not only honours Stefano’s memory but also aims to increase the number of organ donors in Puerto Rico, where the need far exceeds the number of available donors. Since September 14th, installations at Plaza del Caribe and Plaza Las Américas have offered the general public an opportunity to learn about organ donation while viewing cars with spare parts that deliver the message.

'Car Parts for Life' is inspired by a familiar aspect of Puerto Rican streets: the large number of vehicles driving around with spare parts. The campaign leverages this reality by turning those parts into a new medium to promote organ donation. Each time someone scans the QR code on one of these spare parts, they can view real stories from people whose lives have been saved through organ donation - demonstrating how one brave decision can truly change and save lives.

“We wanted to honour Stefano’s love for cars by using something as common as spare parts to share a powerful message about organ donation,” said Zorimar Betancourt, mother of Stefano Steenbakkers. “Through this initiative, we hope more people will make the decision to become donors and help transform more lives,” she added.

“Thanks to the brave decision made by Stefano and other donors like him, many people today have a second chance at life. However, there are still many more waiting for a transplant,” said Carlos Thompson, president of De La Cruz/Ogilvy.

The 'Car Parts for Life' campaign aims not only to honour the heroes who have already donated but also to inspire more Puerto Ricans to make that same courageous choice. Life can continue - and spare parts serve as a reminder that we all have the power to make that happen. For more information about the campaign, visit donaorganos.com.