SAN ANTONIO, TX (April 2, 2025) — This year marks a momentous milestone for the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance (TOSA), a nonprofit organ procurement organization (OPO) dedicated to saving lives through organ donation. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, TOSA honors five decades of advancing organ recovery, providing compassionate family support, and advocating for the life-changing impact of organ donation across Texas.

Originally incorporated as the “South Texas Organ Bank” on December 10, 1975, the organization was later renamed “Texas Organ Sharing Alliance” to reflect its broader regional impact and commitment to collaboration with transplant partners. Since its founding, TOSA has helped facilitate over 10,000 life-saving organ transplants from more than 4,800 donors.

To commemorate its golden anniversary, TOSA unveiled a new commemorative logo symbolizing five decades of service and life-saving achievements.

TOSA’s historical milestones include facilitating its first kidney transplant in 1977, when a donor from Wilford Hall provided a kidney to a patient at Bexar County Hospital. In 1992, another milestone was reached when TOSA facilitated its 1,000th transplantable kidney, once again from a donor at Wilford Hall.

“TOSA has always been at the forefront of improving the organ donation process,” said Joseph Nespral, TOSA’s President and CEO. “In my over 28 years with the organization, I’ve witnessed the power of donation—not just for the recipients whose lives are transformed, but for the donor families who find healing in their loved one’s legacy.”

The organization continues to build on this legacy by welcoming Dr. Philip G. Thomas, MD, FACS as its new Medical Director. A globally recognized expert in liver, biliary, pancreas, and organ transplant surgery, Dr. Thomas brings over 40 years of clinical and academic experience to TOSA’s mission.

“I’m proud to support the groundbreaking work being done at TOSA,” said Dr. Thomas. “In my role, I aim to foster public understanding of organ donation, support our vital hospital partnerships, and lead innovations that strengthen the future of organ recovery. Right now in Texas, more than 10,000 people are waiting for a lifesaving transplant—we’re here to give them hope.”

As TOSA continues its mission into the next 50 years, its focus remains on saving lives, supporting families, and educating communities across Texas about the critical importance of organ donation.

To learn more about TOSA or how to become an organ donor, visit www.tosa1.org.