A decade ago, a local pastor’s heartfelt plea for a kidney donation sparked an inspiring bond between two unlikely allies. David Purkhiser, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a young child, faced the consequences of his condition as his kidneys gradually failed. His family’s search for a suitable donor proved fruitless, prompting Purkhiser to turn to his church community for help. Answering the call was Ricardo Gomez, a retired law enforcement officer who felt a divine calling to save a life. Little did he know that his faith would lead him to become Purkhiser’s kidney donor.
Gomez and Purkhiser, both active members of their church, discovered their connection when they joined the same small group. Motivated by their shared faith and the verse John 15:13, which speaks of laying one’s life down for a friend, Gomez eagerly embarked on the rigorous process of becoming a donor. Under the skilled hands of Dr. Michael de Vera, the director of the Transplant Institute, the procedure was a success. The transplant not only saved Purkhiser’s life but also brought two strangers closer together, forging a brotherhood that endures to this day.
Ten years later, both men are thriving, with ongoing tests confirming the success of the transplant. Purkhiser now coaches a high school baseball team and mentors a diabetic player, inspired by his own experiences. Gomez and Purkhiser are actively involved in their church’s youth ministry and continue to inspire those around them through their shared values and faith. Loma Linda University Health’s Transplant Institute, the only comprehensive multi-organ transplant center in the region, expresses gratitude for selfless donors like Gomez, who provide others with the opportunity for renewed life.
