Their Stories

CHP Officer Brian Winter

CHP Officer Winter joined the marrow donor registry while serving in the U.S. Military.  When notified in 2022 that he was a match for eight-year-old girl with leukemia, Officer Winter instantly said “yes” to being that girl’s marrow donor and hero.  While 90 percent of donations today are peripheral blood stem cells (similar to a blood donation), Officer Winter donated bone marrow through an outpatient surgical procedure under general anesthesia and says he would “do it again in a heartbeat.”  

"When I got the call that I was a match, I immediately agreed to undergo the surgery. The fact that it was for an eight-year-old girl really hit home for me. Kids should be out playing at the park, not sitting in a hospital. I wanted to get on the operating table as soon as I could and do whatever I could to help her. Going through this process changed my life and I can honestly say it was the most meaningful and impactful thing I’ve ever been a part of. I’d do it again in a heartbeat."

- CHP Officer Brian Winter

CHP Officer Robert Becerra

"In 2016, I saw a statewide drive on the news to help find a bone marrow match for CHP Officer Meter. I signed up in hopes of helping him or someone like him. Unfortunately, I was not a match for him during that time. Over the years I kept my contact info current, and ensured I responded to the emails received from the registry.  Two years later, I received the email I had always hoped for, “You’re a match.”  I was found to be a match to a young man with leukemia. On Thanksgiving morning, I donated peripheral blood stem cells through an apheresis machine."  

“Donating is easy in my opinion. The hard part is done by those fighting each day against their sickness. If donating can give them ammo to fight and survive, why wouldn’t you?”

-CHP Officer Robert Becerra

CHP Officer Joe Airoso

CHP Officer Joe Airoso joined the registry at an Officers Give Hope donor drive at the CHP Academy in 2009. He went on to match and donate to an adult male patient with leukemia, extending that patient’s life by two years and allowing him to see his first grandson born and to hold that grandson. Something that would have not been possible without Officer Airoso

"He was in need and I was willing to help. I feel my contribution was well worth the donation, as it allowed this Marine to have extra time to meet his grandson."

- CHP Officer Joe Airoso