“I was always healthy. I lived a normal life, and I would even go to the gym twice a day,” said Natallie Cruz, 25. Natallie developed a rare blood condition after she gave birth to her baby girl on Nov. 7, 2020. After delivery, Natallie began to experience weakness, fatigue, tremors, and inability to speak. She knew something was wrong. When the doctors and nurses came into her room, they noticed an abnormal amount of body fluids and rushed her to the operating room. She was diagnosed with a rare blood condition known as atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). aHUS is a genetic disease that causes tiny blood clots to form in the blood vessels, blocking blood flow to important organs. Natallie was in end-stage renal failure and needed a kidney transplant. After a month of undergoing dialysis, Natallie had no energy and was unable to perform her mommy duties. “It was very scary and challenging,” said Natallie. “I started to feel depressed.” Her fiancé, Royal Johnson, 30, was willing to donate his kidney; however, he was not a match. Fortunately, the pair was able to go through the Kidney Exchange Program at Methodist Transplant Institute, where living donor kidneys are swapped so each recipient receives a compatible transplant. “I couldn’t continue to watch her suffer; she is the mother of my child,” said Royal. “I knew the sacrifices I was going to make, and I knew it was going to change my life.” The transplant successfully occurred on July 7, 2022. “Dr. Eric Treat did amazing! The entire team was very helpful and made sure we were taken care of,” said Natallie. “The whole process has made our relationship 10 times stronger,” said Royal. Since then, the couple has fully recovered, and they are enjoying parenthood. According to recently released United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) data, Methodist Transplant Institute in San Antonio has been recognized as the top program in the nation, leading in living kidney donor transplants. The program completed 214 living donor kidney transplants and 171 deceased donor kidney transplants in 2023. The program was also recognized as the largest Hispanic kidney transplant program in the nation. According to UNOS, more than 6,900 people became living organ donors in 2023. “I am grateful to be practicing in San Antonio. Our city has been on the forefront of championing the living donation path to improve access to kidney transplantation. For over 13 years now, our city has seen the highest rates in the nation of live donor kidney transplants,” said Matthias H. Kapturczak, MD. “Our goal is to improve the lives of people with kidney disease in our communities, one patient at a time,” said Kevin Scoggin, CEO of Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant. “To achieve these milestones at a community hospital that serves a majority Hispanic population and many underserved communities around Texas is a remarkable accomplishment.” Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant is committed to excellence in kidney transplant care. For more information about the kidney transplant program, visit SAHealth.com/Specialties and click on “Transplant Services.” Living donor kidney program ranks #1 for 13 years straight A GIFT OF LOVE Husband-to-be donates kidney to save fiancée’s life 2 SAHealth.com KEEPING WELL — SPRING 2024
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