JFK Memorial Honors Late ER Nurse Anabel Sanchez at Organ Donation Awareness Event

In an emotional gathering filled with remembrance and hope, JFK Memorial Hospital hosted an organ donation awareness event this morning, dedicated to honoring the life and legacy of emergency nurse Anabel Sanchez.

Anabel, who served at JFK Memorial for over a decade, tragically passed away earlier this year on January 12th after being struck by a vehicle while crossing a street in Indio. She died two days later, leaving behind a profound legacy not only as a devoted healthcare worker and mother but also as a posthumous lifesaver.

Her daughter, Marbella Meraz, tearfully shared memories of her mother: “She was my best friend, someone you could definitely count on and have there for support.” Friends and colleagues echoed this sentiment, describing Sanchez as "the hardest worker in the room" and "someone who touched people’s souls.”

In honor of her contributions and her final act of generosity, JFK Memorial raised the Donate Life flag, symbolizing hope, compassion, and the gift of life. The hospital partnered with OneLegacy , a leading organ procurement organization, to promote the life-saving power of organ and tissue donation. According to OneLegacy,Anabel Sanchez saved six lives by donating her kidney, liver, and left lung. Tissue donations from a single donor like her can impact up to 75 individuals, offering healing and renewed life to countless recipients.

"Friendly, kind, giving—Annabelle always looked for ways to help others," one of her ER nurse colleagues shared. “Even in her passing, she gave life. That’s the kind of person she was.”

As tears were shed and stories shared, one message rang clear: Anabel Sanchez’s spirit lives on through the lives she’s touched—both in the hospital and beyond. Her story now serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of organ donation and the incredible strength of one individual’s legacy of compassion. For information tune into NBC Palm Springs.