Colton Resident Donates Kidney to Brother

While many people say they would give anything for their families, Colton resident Frank Flores took this literally. On Aug. 2, the 46-year-old longtime Colton resident donated his left kidney to his older brother, José, at the California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) in San Francisco. “From the beginning, he was positively sure he wanted to donate to his brother,” said Frank’s wife Paula. Even before confirmation that Frank was a blood-type match to his brother, Paula said, “Frank was more than confident through the process that he was a match.” In 2004, José Flores was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. Not wanting to alarm his family, he explained he kept the news quiet. “I didn’t want to burden my family,” said the now 47-year-old, a 17-year resident of Fresno. “Last year, I [began] getting sicker, so I had to let my family know. I started with my wife and then I began telling [other members of] my family: my brothers and my dad,” he said. As his illness progressed, doctors advised José to begin asking friends or family members if they would be willing to donate a kidney. José’s wife, Norma, and his sons, José, Michael and Isaiah, underwent blood tests but proved not to be blood matches. That’s when Frank stepped in, he shared. “Frank understood what was happening and he put a lot of [time] into finding out what he could do,” said José. “When I asked him, ‘Will you really do this?’ he said, ‘Yeah. We’re brothers. Why would I not do it?’“ Both José and Frank’s wife Paula said the process was very fast. Frank had to take three separate tests to determine if he was a viable kidney donor candidate: a blood test, a tissue test and samples. “By the last appointment he had, my brother-in-law’s kidneys were only working at 7 percent [of capacity],” said Paula. “If he didn’t have the [transplant] surgery on the week he did, he would have had to be on dialysis. Because he had the surgery, he never had to [undergo dialysis].” José said, “I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe that six or seven months had passed since Frank had taken all these tests. It was overwhelming.” Paula inquired as to her husband’s reasoning for wanting so enthusiastically to donate a kidney to his brother. “[José] has four children, and some of them are very young,” said Paula. “Frank said, ‘I wasn’t going to let them be without their dad.’“ In preparation for the transplant surgery, Paula explained that Frank began exercising more and drinking plenty of water, and also watched his diet. His efforts paid off, and José and Paula both said doctors were amazed at José’s quick recovery time, but they were also shocked at how quickly Frank’s kidney began functioning once transplanted into José’s body. “The doctors were very surprised,” José said. “I was expected to stay eight days at the hospital but I only spent four. The doctor said I had the kidney of a 13-year-old,” he chuckled. Paula added, “The doctors told us they usually have to work on the kidney to get it working in the [new] body, but they didn’t have to work on this one. They put it in and it was going.” She also added that doctors said bloody urine is common in kidney transplant patients, until the kidney adjusts to its new body and begins working properly, but José showed no signs of this side-effect. Frank was able to return home after spending a few days at the hospital. After a short time of recovery he was allowed to do light work, and three weeks ago returned to full-time work as a truck loader for McLane Company in San Bernardino. His brother, José, is set to return to his job as a general manager for an automotive department store in Fresno in November. Paula described her husband as her hero. “He had no doubt. From the very beginning he knew it would be fine. He’s very humble about it but now he feels it’s his job to tell others how easy it is,” said Paula. “He told his brother that he knew, if the tables were turned, he would do it for [Frank], and that’s enough for him. He feels this was his purpose.” “My brother is very humble; I adore him dearly. What can I say about my brother? He gave the ultimate gift to me, my wife and my kids. I thank God for giving me more time to spend with my kids,” said José. José and his wife Norma have three sons: José, Michael and Isaiah, and a daughter, Julyann. Frank and his wife Paula have a son, Eric, and three daughters, Bethany, Christina and Isabella, and one granddaughter, 3-year-old Jahonny.