TAMPA, Fla., March 30, 2026 – The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office, in partnership with LifeLink Foundation, will host “Louis Betz Jr. Day” at its East Tampa office to kick off National Donate Life Month this April, honoring the legacy of local organ donation advocate Louis Betz Jr.
The event will take place on April 1, 2026 at 8AM at the East Tampa Tax Collector’s Office at 2814 E. Hillsborough Avenue, bringing together community members, donor families, transplant recipients and advocates to celebrate Betz, a double lung transplant recipient who dedicated his life to raising awareness about organ donation. Betz, who died in 2025, worked closely with Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy Millan and LifeLink Foundation to inspire others to register as organ donors and share the gift of life.
“At the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office, we believe our role in the community goes far beyond transactions – it’s about connection and impact,” said Tax Collector Nancy Millan. “Lou Betz embodied what it means to turn a second chance at life into a gift for others. He didn’t just receive a transplant; he devoted himself to making sure others would have that same opportunity. Partnering with LifeLink Foundation to honor his legacy through ‘Louis Betz Jr. Day’ is our way of saying that his work, and the work of every donor and donor family, will not be forgotten. National Donate Life Month is a reminder that one decision can change everything, and we are proud to help carry that message to every corner of Hillsborough County.”
The program will include testimonials from organ donation advocates, including transplant recipients and donor families, as well as a special remembrance recognizing Betz’s contributions to the Donate Life mission.
In recognition of National Donate Life Month’s 2026 theme, “Leave a Legacy,” the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office also will launch a countywide initiative encouraging donor registration. The first 100 customers at each Hillsborough office who register as organ, eye and tissue donors during a driver’s license transaction will receive a “Grow Your Own Tree” kit, symbolizing the lasting impact of donation and the lives it helps grow.
“Registering as an organ donor is a selfless decision that can save and heal lives,” said Yosbel Garcia, donor registry engagement coordinator at LifeLink Foundation. “Through this initiative, we hope to inspire our community to leave a legacy of hope, just as Lou Betz did.”
National Donate Life Month, observed each April, raises awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation and encourages individuals to register as donors. More than 100,000 people nationwide are currently waiting for a life-saving transplant. In Florida, nearly 7,000 people are on the waiting list.
For more information about how to register as an organ donor, visit donatelifeflorida.org.
For more information about the Tax Collector’s Office and services, visit HillsTaxFL.gov.
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About Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office:
The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office (HCTC) is a proud recipient of the 2025 Governor’s Sterling Award. The office serves approximately 1.6 million residents across Florida’s third-largest county through nine offices staffed by over 400 dedicated employees. We collect and distribute property, tangible, business, and tourist development taxes that fund essential community services including schools, roads, and public safety.
As an agent for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, we provide motor vehicle, vessel, and mobile home titles and registrations, issue driver licenses and ID cards, administer driving tests, issue disabled parking permits, collect tolls, and clear toll violations.
Through partnerships with various state and local agencies, we offer additional services including Florida birth certificates, concealed weapons permits, vehicle for hire permits, and hunting and fishing licenses—all distributed according to Florida Statutes.
Our dedication to empowering the community through accessible, innovative services is guided by our values of doing the right thing, going the extra mile, and working together as #TeamHCTC to lead in delivering amazing service experiences. For more information, visit HillsTaxFL.gov.
LifeLink Foundation
LifeLink Foundation was established more than 40 years ago with a mission to honor the lives of organ and tissue donors by providing renewed hope to as many people as possible through organ and tissue transplantation. Our mission is carried out with compassion through dedicated team members who work tirelessly towards the goal we share with our professional partners, the families we serve and our communities. We are committed to inspiring the public to save and improve lives through organ and tissue donation. For more information, please visit www.LifeLinkFoundation.org.
