Gary Small celebrated his birthday Wednesday in a hospital bed.
The UNM Physical Plant Department (PPD) employee agreed to donate a kidney to Alex Garcia, a friend and colleague, with one stipulation: the surgery take place on Sept. 22, Small’s birthday, at the Surgical Post Anesthesia Care Unit at Presbyterian Hospital.
“Tuesday, there were a lot of people who called me and told me they had me in their prayers, so I know I am not going in there alone,” Small said before going into the surgical prep room.
Family and friends have since confirmed the surgery was successful — Small got his wish and Garcia received his kidney.
According to the New Mexico Donor Services, more than 650 New Mexicans like Garcia await life-saving organ transplants and about 150 receive a transplant each year.
In the hospital lobby before the operation, both men shared a smile and stood calm in the face of their impending open-knife surgery. They both acknowledged worrying would do no good because there was no turning back.
Their demeanor helped comfort family and friends who were with Garcia and Small at 5:30 a.m. and stayed throughout the four-hour procedure.
“Thank God that we are believers. That helps get you through difficult times. The support of our friends and family and God intervening — that’s where it’s all at,” said Vi Garcia, Alex’s mother.
That support has been crucial for both men.
Four years ago, Alex was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a genetic disorder that leads to renal failure. For the past five months, he has undergone dialysis treatment three times a week. Alex, a master mechanic with PPD for 11 years, was forced to take a leave of absence, yet his friends and family have been his safety net.
Small has faced his own series of trials and tribulations leading up to the surgery. He moved to New Mexico from Maine in 1999 after a fishing business he owned went under.
“There was no room for the little guy,” he said.
While undergoing surgical consent procedure and pre-op lab tests, he has been dealing with a divorce.
For both men, lost work time has been their biggest worry.
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“If it wasn’t for the University, I would have a hard time doing this financially,” Small said. “They have the funding. I have enough sick leave, and the department I am in is like a big family. It’s a blessing that I do have a job at such a nice place.”
Alex used up his sick leave in August, and his catastrophic leave ends this month. His long-term disability is not available until the end of November. As a result, his financial concerns are a heavy burden.
“That leaves almost two months where he won’t have any financial help from UNM,” PPD colleague and friend Anthony Garcia said. “So we needed to make sure there wasn’t any financial burden on the family.”
Leading up to the surgery, Anthony organized fundraising events to benefit Alex, including a garage sale, a dance, a barbecue and a raffle where more than 260 tickets were sold to members from the University community who wanted to help.
“We had a really great turnout. When I asked UNM … it was immediately, ‘Yes, let’s go,” Anthony said.
Small was also acknowledged at the event.
“They had a birthday cake for me. It was nice to see the community support somebody who needs help,” he said.
But personal recognition never motivated Small. He said helping a friend was his only purpose.
“It’s a good thing to do to help somebody. I think it may have an impact on my daughters. I hope that they will help other people,” he said. “I really believe this is one of those things that is meant to be. I’m originally from Maine, and in destiny through life, you wind up in another place where you can help someone. “
