Texas Organ Sharing Alliance (TOSA), a private nonprofit organization, serves the Central and South Texas regions by facilitating organ donation for needy individuals.
Founded in 1975, TOSA is celebrating its 50th anniversary, marking a half-century of impact on donors and recipients.
Joe Nespral, CEO of TOSA, has been with the organization for nearly 28 years. During this time, he has seen firsthand the profound influence of TOSA on individuals and families in Central and South Texas.
“Here at TOSA, we are giving others a second chance,” Nespral said.
With this mission in mind, Nespral and his team work to ensure that organ donation is efficient, equitable, and ethical.
“A lot of what we do happens behind the scenes. We serve as the intermediary between families, hospitals and transplant centers. Throughout this process, we ensure the equitability of the process and the trustworthiness of the system — you cannot buy your way to an organ,” he said.
The Role of Education and Technology
While at TOSA, Nespral observed a significant rise in organ donation acceptance rates, mainly due to public education and an expanded donor registry.
“The biggest game changer to our system is the registry of donors mixed with the use of technology. We have seen these factors educate the public in overcoming myths about organ donation, which has greatly improved acknowledgment and acceptance of what we do,” he said.
Nespral is passionate about increasing awareness of transplant services among the Hispanic community, constituting a significant portion of TOSA’s service area.
“Over the years, we have implemented programs internally for our Spanish-speaking families to better serve our service area,” he said.
One such initiative includes Spanish-speaking staff members who help bridge language and cultural barriers.
“This process is already confusing and sensitive as it is without adding the extra layer of a language barrier. It’s not just the language — it’s understanding the culture to break down barriers to communicate a delicate message,” Nespral said.
By responding to the community’s needs, TOSA has increased organ donation authorization rates, which have grown from about 50% to nearly 80% over the past five decades.
“I’m excited to see the increases in improvement of understanding in the Hispanic community, which we measure through our authorization rates,” he said.
Community Impact
In the Rio Grande Valley, the need for organ donation is significant.
“With TOSA, the organs donated will most likely stay within the community and benefit our community,” Nespral said.
Volunteers from the community, including donor families and recipients, play a key role in advocating for organ donation.
“Our greatest assets are the volunteers telling their stories of the process and the value of organ donation,” he said.
These volunteers have been instrumental in dispelling misconceptions and fostering greater community comfort with organ donation.
For the past 50 years, TOSA has transformed organ donation in Central and South Texas.
“Every organ is a gift, and we do our best to maximize each and every one of those gifts,” Nespral said.
Through continued efforts, TOSA has saved countless lives and provided hope to hundreds of families. As the organization looks to the future, the community remains committed to supporting its mission for another 50 years of lifesaving work.
