The Sierra Providence Kidney Transplant Center will be setting up an organ donor information booth as part of organ donation awareness week.

Every year the center performs dozens of surgeries. Momi Matamoros, 26, is a kidney recipient. She was diagnosed with kidney failure last year.

"They put me on dialysis, otherwise I would have too many toxins in my blood and I would become ill," said Matamoros.

Matamoros was placed on a list of dozens for a kidney transplant. After months of waiting, a living donor came up as a match and the surgery was scheduled.

"I know that I'm very blessed that he made that decision to be a donor," said Matamoros.

Unfortunately, not everyone is willing to be organ donors. That's why this week, Sierra Providence Health Network is raising awareness about organ donation.

"We have more than 100 patients listed on the waiting list pending a kidney transplant and pending to be listed we have more than 300 patients," said Jose Rodriguez, a registered nurse at the Transplant Clinic.

The Kidney Transplant Program at Sierra Medical Center is the only one of its kind in this region. It was started 10 years ago because of a great need.

"It's important because this area has a lot of Hispanics, it has over 80 percent and has a lot of diabetes and problems with the kidneys," said Dr. Fernando Raudales, the medical director of the Transplant Clinic.

Raudales said the clinic performs up to 30 kidney transplants a year. Momi was one of those successful surgeries and hopes one day she could meet her donor.

"I need to write him a thank-you letter but I don't know what to write yet. I'm still thinking and waiting for the right time so it'll come to me," said Momi.

Sierra Providence Health Network will have information booths on Thursday at the physical rehabilitation hospital from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. And on Friday, a booth will be at Providence Memorial Hospital, also from 8 a.m. to 2p.m.

Visitors can pick up information, ask questions and register to become an organ donor.