HARRISBURG, Pa. — Maria Arce has firsthand experience with kidney disease. Having witnessed her sister and other relatives battle the disease, she knew that her own struggle with it would come eventually.
After immigrating to the United States and seeing her daughters marry and start families of their own, she discovered that one of her sons-in-law would play a vital role in saving her life.
“All I know is that I wanted to be here for as long as God will keep me on this earth,” said Arce.
Arce was born with kidney disease and had one of her kidneys removed in her 20s. In May 2022, she received the news that her kidney condition was worsening and that she needed to be placed on a transplant list.
This marked the beginning of a difficult journey, involving numerous doctor appointments, dialysis, and the unwavering support of her family. Her year-long dialysis treatment took a toll on her, but with the help of UPMC Harrisburg, she was guided through the process of preparing for a kidney transplant.
Her son-in-law, Eduardo Flores, played a crucial role in this journey, along with the rest of her family. Out of several family members who got tested to be potential kidney donors, both of Arce's sons-in-law were matches.
Ultimately, Eduardo Flores was deemed a direct match.
“I felt so overwhelmed with happiness, knowing that somebody was a match for me, but at the same time, I was also afraid for them,” said Arce.
“Someone in my family needed my help and I wanted to raise my hand and be there for them,” said Flores.
His decision to donate his kidney led to him becoming the first patient in Central Pa. to undergo a living donor robotic nephrectomy using the Da Vinci Xi at UPMC Harrisburg.
A nephrectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of one or both kidneys. The Da Vinci Xi is a robotic, minimally invasive piece of equipment used by surgeons for this purpose.
Dr. Danielle Ladie, a transplant surgeon at UPMC Harrisburg, explained that it allows for a more delicate and precise approach to manipulating the kidney tissue.
Since Flores's surgery, UPMC Harrisburg has successfully performed six more nephrectomies using the same approach. Dr. Ladie hopes that this innovative method will pave the way for more kidney donations.
“Anybody healthy can donate a kidney,” said Dr. Ladie. “Patients who have kidney failure are often on dialysis for years and years waiting for a kidney… not only are we helping the recipient get a kidney, but we’re letting the donors get back on track a lot quicker.”
Following the surgery, Arce is thriving and has had the opportunity to celebrate her grandchildren's birthdays and graduations.
Flores himself was able to resume his normal activities within a week, and both individuals are now strong advocates for organ donation, encouraging others to consider giving the gift of life by donating an organ if they can do so.
For further information about organ donation, click here.
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