LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- The Hispano Chamber of Commerce de Las Cruces was a proud sponsor of the 2011 Donate Life Car Show & Health Expo, which took place Saturday, July 23, at Young Park in Las Cruces.

More than three dozen classics, hot rods, custom street cars, dragsters were on display for the public in an effort to raise awareness for the Southern New Mexico Southern Transplant Group, a member of the Hispano Chamber of Commerce de Las Cruces.

According to Donate Life America:

Transplantation is one of the most remarkable success stories in the history of medicine. But despite continuing advances in medicine and technology, the need for organs and tissue is vastly greater than the number available for transplantation.

Transplantation gives hope to thousands of people with organ failure and provides many others with active and renewed lives.

Learn the FACTS:

Fact: Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age, race, or medical history.

Fact: All major religions in the United States support organ, eye and tissue donation and see it as the final act of love and generosity toward others.

Fact: If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the number one priority is to save your life. Organ, eye and tissue donation can only be considered after you are deceased.

Fact: When you are on the waiting list for an organ, what really counts is the severity of your illness, time spent waiting, blood type, and other important medical information, not your financial status or celebrity status.

Fact: An open casket funeral is possible for organ, eye and tissue donors. Through the entire donation process the body is treated with care, respect and dignity.

Fact: There is no cost to the donor or their family for organ or tissue donation.

To contact the local chapter of Donate Life, The Southern New Mexico Transplant Support Group, please call Susan Brown at 575-496-2627 or Rudy Ortega at 575-525-1905.