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 Israel Sanchez is a bi-lateral lung transplant recipient with a passion for dance and theater. Israel was born in Chicago, but spent most of his life in Puerto Rico where he developed a passion for cultural arts. Over the years, his zest for the arts grew stronger and it eventually developed into his career.
Asthma was the biggest obstacle coming between Israel and his aspirations. Most people suffering Asthma would find it too difficult to pursue dancing and strenuous activities, but not Israel – nothing, including lung disease, stopped him from achieving his dreams.
In 2001, Israel began noticing increased chest pain and shortness of breath, which he attributed to his asthma, but when the pain worsened and breathing became increasing difficult, he knew it was something more.
He was in and out of the hospital for weeks as he underwent multiple tests. Israel was finally diagnosed with Brocheactasis, which is a genetic disease with no cure – it an obstructive lung disease that causes irreversible dilation in parts of the bronchial tree resulting in airflow obstruction.
Israel was frustrated, but not devastated by the news – he did not let the diagnosis stop him from participating in the things he loved. When he performed on stage, he would exit behind a curtain to breath from an oxygen tank, and then immediately return to his dance without skipping a beat – his audience never knew he was suffering.
Eventually, Israel was placed on the national waiting list for a lung transplant, put on oxygen 24 hours a day, and was told he should no longer dance. Fortunately, in January 2004, after only one and a half months of waiting, Israel received his double-lung transplant.
Since receiving his transplant, his life has drastically changed. “Never in my life have I breathed this well,” Israel said. “It was like coming out of a prison that I was in for many years – sentenced to suffer for something I didn’t do.”
 Three short months after his transplant, Israel returned to work and to dancing. He has now been in a professional Spanish Flamenco dance company at Northeastern Illinois University for 14 years. “I thank God for letting me live one more time and for giving me the chance to dance and act again.”
Now when Israel performs, he performs in honor of the person who saved his life – his lung donor.
On July 19, at the National Donor Recognition Ceremony (NDRCW), Israel preformed a special dance in honor of his donor. The NDRCW is the Federal government’s biennial event held to pay tribute to all Americans who have donated organs, tissues, or marrow to save or enhance the lives of others. Israel took this opportunity to honor his donor and share his story in a unique way.
Israel also spends time volunteering for Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network’s Hispanic Task Force and advocating for organ and tissue donation. “Everywhere I go, I tell my story because I am so grateful for my donor.”
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