“Being able to give Carlos the gift of life is a blessing, and I hope our story inspires others to do the same.”
As a mother, Daisy Vasquez, 61, feels there is no greater reward than seeing your child happy and healthy. When she learned her son Carlos Vasquez, 39, would need a kidney transplant, she immediately offered hers.
“If I could have given Carlos my heart, I would have,” she shares.
Carlos’ story starts seven years ago, in 2017, when he began experiencing persistent headaches, allergy-like symptoms, leg swelling and a spike in blood pressure. Alarmingly, he ended up in the hospital. “That’s when we learned his kidneys were failing,” shares Daisy.
After days of testing, Carlos was diagnosed with vasculitis, a condition that had attacked his kidneys. He spent a month in the hospital, undergoing dialysis. Once home, he continued dialysis for another month before doctors were able to discontinue treatment.
“We thought that was the end of the ordeal,” shares Daisy, “but five years later his kidney function began to decline again.”
This time around, Carlos’ doctor informed him that he needed to get on the kidney transplant list or find a living donor. “I was with him when we heard this news, and as a mother, I wanted to help,” shares Daisy. “I knew nothing about donation at the time, but I was determined to help him in any way possible.”
At this point, Daisy explained that they contacted The Living Donor Institute at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center and started the process to determine if she could be his donor. In October 2022, Daisy underwent education sessions with a transplant physician, social worker, and registered nurse, in additional to thorough testing. A few weeks later learned that she and Carlos were a close match. Their kidney transplant surgery was schedule for January 2023. Though a slight vasculitis flare-up delayed the surgery, in March 2023, Carlos was able to receive a successful living-donor kidney transplant from his mother.
“The team at Cooperman Barnabas, including my surgeon, Stuart Geffner, MD, his physician assistant Erin Vermeulen, PA, and Donna Walton, RN, Living Donor Coordinator, who performed my initial intake, were incredible,” expresses Daisy.
“From start to finish, the care Carlos and I received from the staff was exceptional. During my hospital stay, the care team continued to make sure I was comfortable and well looked after,” shares Daisy. “I always tell people, if you need a kidney transplant, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center is the place to go.”
Seeing him live his life fully is all the thanks I need,” Daisy shares. “Now, Carlos is in a great place—healthy, thriving, and living life to the fullest. I’ve also recovered wonderfully, and I don’t regret a single moment of my decision.” Daisy became a grandmother in May, and she shares her precious granddaughter Annalise is a ray of sunshine that has brought so much joy and happiness to the family!
Since the donation, Daisy has felt compelled to share their experience, hoping to encourage others to consider becoming donors. She also serves as a volunteer for the NJ Sharing Network. “So many people are waiting for organs, and becoming a donor has only made my life better, Daisy shares. “I’m healthier and more mindful of my body now, and I continue to live life to the fullest. Being able to give Carlos the gift of life is a blessing, and I hope our story inspires others to do the same.”
About The Renal and Pancreas Transplant Division at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.
The Renal and Pancreas Transplant Division, located in Livingston, NJ, is one of the leading kidney transplant centers in the country. The Transplant Division at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center offers compassionate and comprehensive transplant care for adult and pediatric kidney patients.
The Living Donor Institute at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center offers an increasing number of innovative living donation techniques available at only a few of the world’s leading transplant centers.
With a patient-centered approach, we aim to provide a caring environment with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment capabilities. Our multidisciplinary transplant team guides patients through the process of deciding on kidney transplant as a treatment option, understanding transplantation, finding a donor, and maintaining a healthy organ after transplant.