Texas Organ Sharing Alliance (TOSA) proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of dedication to organ donation and transplantation. Since 1975, TOSA has worked tirelessly to provide hope and second chances to those in need, partnering with hospitals, donor families, and transplant recipients to honor the gift of life. As we reflect on our journey, we remain committed to expanding awareness, fostering community support, and ensuring more lives are saved through the power of organ donation. Join us in celebrating this milestone and the countless lives touched.

Celbrating 50 years of saving lives

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In celebration of its milestone achievements, Texas Organ Sharing Alliance created a commemorative anniversary logo to honor its five decades of saving lives through the gift of organ donation.

For 50 years, TOSA has been proud of providing compassionate care and grief support to families before, during, and after organ donation, while educating the public to help Texans make informed decisions about organ donation.

50 years in the business of saving lives

yearMilestone

1975


South Texas Organ Bank (STOB) was incorporated as a private nonprofit, with its first location in San Antonio, under the leadership of Executive Director Jim Hayes.
1979STOB experienced its first significant growth spurt. The 26 donors in 1979 represented a 100% increase from the year before and the 40 kidneys transplanted were an 80% increase.
1981STOB became an international organ bank when it shipped two kidneys from a Harlingen donor to Rome for transplantation. Over the next five years, another 20 South Texas kidneys would find their way to Japan, England, and Turkey for transplantation.

1983
STOB coordinators had their first multiple-organ donor when they recovered both kidneys, a heart, and a liver from a Wilford Hall patient. The heart was delivered to Texas Heart Institute in Houston, and the liver to the University of California at Davis.
1986
First heart transplant in South Texas takes place. Multiple organ recoveries become commonplace, although kidneys remain the main focus. except for a dip in 1983, the number of donors and kidney transplants increased every year.
1989The McAllen office opens to serve the Rio Grande Valley.
1992The first liver transplant happens.
June - The Central Texas Organ Procurement Program, based at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin, merges with STOB. This adds 14 counties to STOB's service area.
1996CEO Patrick J. Giordano hired and more community members are added to the board.
1998Joseph Nespral, MD, CPTC hired as a Clinical Director. The non-profit reorganizes its Hospital Development function
to work closely with hospitals. A Brooke Army Medical Center patient becomes the 1,000th Donor

1999The organization is rebranded to Texas Organ Sharing Alliance to reflect its broad service area and the sharing of organs and alliances with organizations that make transplantation possible.
2000TOSA recovers more than 300 organs from 100 donors. 25th Anniversary; internal IT established

2016Chief Executive Officer Patrick J. Giordano retires in October.

2017Joseph Nespral, MD, CPTC hired as CEO of TOSA.
2018TOSA Announces Construction of New Headquarters in San Antonio Medical Center

2020First-of-its-kind Center For Life Opens

2021Wall of Heroes Dedication Celebrates Donor Heroes of 2020;
Center Dedicated to Organ Donation Succeeds in First Year
2022From the Heart: Texas Organ Sharing Alliance Partnership Makes History

2023TOSA Events Center was dedicated to Dr. Speeg for his years of service on the board;
Center for Hope opens in Austin

2025TOSA Foundation Offers New Ways to Give and we celebrate our 50th Anniversary

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