Tucsonans Jay and Cathy McCall — along with these little rubber turtles — will help raise funds for LifeDonor USA Foundation Saturday.

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Cathy McCall has three phrases taped to the edge of her computer screen. Two are from the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament, and the author of the third is unknown:

"Jesus said, 'The greatest among you will be the one who serves the rest.' "

"Always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets."

"What we do for ourselves dies with us, and what we do for others is immortal."

McCall and her husband, Jay, have centered their lives, raised their family and built the LifeDonor USA Foundation based on those beliefs. The local non-profit educates people about registering for organ and tissue donation.

"It is a wonderful thing when you really think about organ donation and the miracle that it is: You give people back their lives," said Cathy.

The McCalls' son, Jim, became an organ donor after he died in a motorcycle accident 10 years ago.

The 19-year-old Salpointe High School graduate's recovered liver went to a 58-year-old man, a kidney went to a young mother, a 37-year-old man received one heart valve, and a five-month-old girl received another. His veins were used for bypass surgery, skin and bones were used for multiple grafts, and his corneas went to two teenagers in the Phoenix area.

"Just knowing those boys could see again through Jim's corneas … the first recipient I ever met said, 'I can see now. I don't get on the wrong bus anymore.' Things like that make you really realize what a miracle it is." Cathy said. "When we see recipients and how sick they were, and we see them now living healthy, active lives, it is a gift to us."

The McCalls are determined to educate the public about the impact of and the need for organ and tissue donation. Currently 1,662 people in Arizona are awaiting organ transplants; nationwide the transplant list holds more than 106,700 names, according to the Donor Network of Arizona, the federally designated, non-profit organ procurement group.

Improving those statistics begins with discussions between loved ones before tragedy strikes, since time is of the essence during organ recovery, according to Jay.

Although talks about accidental death can be difficult to initiate, he recommends that people interested in donating organs make their wishes known to other family members and register with the Arizona Donor Registry online at www. donatelifeaz.org or by calling 1-800-943-6667 (1-800-94-DONOR).

Registration is also available through the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division when people apply for a driver's license or by visiting the Web site www.servicearizona.com and clicking on the "Organ Donor" link on the right.

For the past eight years, the McCalls have taken their message statewide through Rotary Clubs of Southern Arizona, the Knights of Columbus and other religious and civic organizations and through public events.

"When death is untimely or unexpected such as an auto accident, and the family knows life has been restored or enhanced elsewhere by the use of a loved one's organs or tissue, it is a benefit," Jay said. "It helps to know there was a positive effect out of that death, and in a religious sense, there is grace that you have done this charitable act."

He also emphasized that while people may be hesitant about organ donation because of cultural or religious beliefs, the program is supported by all major religions. "For our son all the transplant teams came in at one time and the surgery was done with the utmost respect; often the surgeons who perform recovery will perform the transplants," he said.

Ultimately, the McCalls believe their efforts are making a difference in organ-donation awareness; however, they said that while many people think it is a good idea, making the choice and actually completing the registration is the most important step.

"People on the list die while waiting for transplants, and no one would die if everyone allowed recovery from accidents involving their loved ones," Jay said. "Families just need to understand that it benefits others so they can think about it. This is not a right or wrong choice; there is an upside but no downside."