Organ donation is something close to Tulare County Sheriff’s Capt. Harold Liles’ heart.
After receiving a life-saving kidney from his son in 2024, Liles is organizing an event to raise money and awareness for organ donations.
The Tulare County Gift of Life Run & Walk will be held at Cutler Park on Saturday, April 11. Money raised during the event will help families going through the organ donation process. The run is sponsored by the nonprofit Uplift of Central Valley.
“Organ donation saves lives, mine included,” Liles said. “Because of one selfless decision, I get more time with my family. If this event encourages even one person to register as a donor or start the conversation, it will be worth it.”
What started with a cancer diagnosis in 2018, surgery, and years of declining kidney function, Liles was placed on the transplant list at Cedars-Sinai Hospital. In August 2024, he got a call saying there was a transplant match; his son Darius.
The Liles family saw an outpouring of support from the community to help cover the expenses of having a kidney transplant. Now Liles wants to raise awareness and support for organ donations.
Giving back to the community isn’t a new concept for Liles.
In 2020, Liles was handpicked to lead the youth development unit that provides opportunities for children in underserved communities the chance to play sports and have experiences they might not have otherwise.
“He is one of those people that truly has a kindness about him,” Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said.
Liles’ desire to help others and be kind come from the example his mother set during his childhood.
“She taught us to look at everyone the same regardless of who they are. She taught us to always give back,” Liles said. “At an early age, we did different events, volunteering at soup kitchens, things to help out. That inspired me to give back.”
To learn more about becoming a living organ donor, visit: https://www.organdonor.gov/learn/process/living-donation
How to attend
The event is open to runners, walkers, families, and community members of all fitness levels. In addition to the run, the event will feature informational booths, live music, a bounce house, free T-shirts for runners, and age-group and finisher medals
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Tulare County Sheriff’s captain organizes run for organ donation awareness
Reporting by Meade Trueworthy, Special to Visalia Times-Delta / Visalia Times-Delta
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
