SAN ANTONIO — As many San Antonians find ways to honor the legacy of Tito Bradshaw, a beloved entrepreneur, cyclist, and father who gave so much to San Antonio's cycling and food communities, Bradshaw continues to serve his community by helping to give others the ultimate gift of life, even after his own was tragically cut short.
Bradshaw was struck by a suspected drunk driver early Monday morning. He was taken in critical condition to SAMMC, where he succumbed to his injuries hours later. Bradshaw leaves behind a 5-year-old son, Valentino.
Bradshaw had registered to become an organ donor just days before his death. Wednesday night, Valentino's mother, Jennifer Pena, posted an update to Facebook that Bradshaw's organ donations went to five recipients.
"Out of our loss, five people have found life," Pena wrote. "Valentino will know that his dad lives on through this last gift."
Texas Organ Sharing Alliance confirms Bradshaw donated his heart and three other organs, but was waiting on the final recipient to officially accept the fifth organ.
As a nurse, Pena said she has seen first-hand how difficult it is for people who are on the waiting list for a transplant to finally find a matching donor. She said she hopes their son Valentino will be able to meet the recipients when he is old enough to understand.
"His heart will still be beating somewhere and Valentino will know that his father is still here psychically and spiritually," Pena said in an interview with KENS5.
A GoFundMe to support Bradshaw's family and to help cover medical costs and funeral expenses. The remainder will go towards the trust fund set up for Bradshaw's son Valentino.
"Creating this safety net for Valentino to be there for him after his father is gone," Pena said. "It's his legacy that he left for Valentino."
A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon at The Parish, located at 1624 Buena Vista St. The event is open to the community. Hundreds are expected to attend.
On Saturday, April 6, Beats in the Park: A Celebration of Tito Bradshaw will feature music from 2 p.m. until 11 p.m. to "reminisce the life of Tito Bradshaw and celebrate the community he helped create."
On Monday, April 8, a benefit movie screening at Alamo Drafthouse Park North will raise money for Bradshaw's GoFundMe.
Thousands have signed a petition to install a memorial bikeway in Bradshaw's honor. The petition states that the "tragedy could have easily been prevented if the city installed bike lanes on E Houston."
There is a severe shortage of organ donors nationwide. More than 115,000 patients are currently on the national waiting list; 2,000 are children and 10,000 are in Texas, according to Texas Organ Sharing Alliance. For more information on how you can become a donor, click here.