Page 7 - Hobe Sound Reflections - April '25

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Tampa General neWs

Tampa General Performs amazed with his positive attitude through this process,”
“Ben is an inspiration to many people. I have been
West Palm Beach Man’s said Dr. Oncu. “Dialysis isn’t easy and at times it can be
Lifesaving Transplant Surgery overwhelming to the patient. However, Ben just keeps on
battling, no matter what.”
After many years working multiple odd jobs to make
Sister Served As Living Kidney Donor ends meet, Diaz credits his CKD diagnosis with motivating
him to pursue a full-time career in the recording industry.
Ben Diaz knew something was terribly wrong when Currently, he creates and performs alternative/hip-hop
he began slurring his words. The 27-year-old West Palm music under the name Simbolikk, and works with other
Beach native had also been suffering from ever-worsening artists as an audio engineer. “My recording career always
headaches and nausea. Living in Texas at the time, he took a back seat,” said Diaz. “Now it’s front and center.”
promptly went to a local hospital emergency room, where Diaz and Vasquez now share a much closer relationship.
an ultrasound found his kidneys functioning at only 8 She said they FaceTime on an almost daily basis. “He
percent and the kidney tissue completely scarred. Doctors Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). checks in with my daughter, Angelise, too, asking her how
diagnosed Diaz with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Since 2020, the academic health system has been creating a she’s doing with her gymnastics and stuff,” said Vasquez.
CKD is progressive and often goes unnoticed framework of state-of-the-art services for patients in the Palm “There are special people that you encounter in life
until symptoms appear. It can lead to serious health Beaches and on the Treasure Coast, with access to Tampa who make an indelible impression on you. Ben is one of
complications, including heart attack, stroke and kidney General for complex care when needed. those special people,” said Dr. Oncu. “You just are happier
failure. If kidney failure occurs, patients go on dialysis At first, Diaz’s mother volunteered to donate one of whenever you are around him. I feel blessed to be part of
and a kidney transplant is needed. her kidneys. She was a match but, unfortunately, tests his medical team and feel tremendous joy for how well
“I had no family history of kidney disease,” said Diaz. “It determined she did not have enough viable function to he is doing. No one deserves it more than him!”
was a bit of an anomaly based on my age. The doctors said donate. After seeing a social post to family with a plea For more information about Tampa General Hospital
it was most likely genetic.” He started peritoneal dialysis to help Diaz, his half-sister Ashley Vasquez in North Advanced Kidney Care, visit TGH.org/ThePalmBeaches
immediately, and the search began for a kidney donor. Carolina stepped forward as a donor. “Ben and I were not or call (561) 739-4TGH (4844).
Each April, National Donate Life Month brings close at all,” said Vasquez. “Regardless, he’s my brother,
national attention to the need for, and the importance of, and I know he has a daughter the same age as mine. I just
organ donation. According to the Health Resources and couldn’t wrap my mind around the idea of his daughter
Services Administration (HRSA), more than 103,000 losing him.” So in March 2024, she clicked the link in
people are currently waiting for organ transplants in the the post and started the process.
United States, and 87 percent of those are for kidney On August 1, 2024, Diaz had kidney transplant surgery
transplants. The average wait time for a kidney transplant at Tampa General. With the surgery completed in Tampa,
is four years – sooner if a living donor is found. Diaz seamlessly transitioned back home to Palm Beach
Wishing to be closer to family, Diaz relocated to West County, continuing postsurgical care under Dr. Oncu. On
Palm Beach, where his care transferred to Dr. Kerim Oncu February 1, 2025, he reached the crucial six-month mark
with Tampa General Hospital (TGH) Advanced Kidney Care. after his surgery, when there is a lower risk of his body
Dr. Oncu specializes in nephrology, hypertension and kidney rejecting the organ. Plus, he no longer needs to take high
transplant care. He has more than 16 years of experience and blood pressure medication.
completed his medical training at the Philadelphia College Diaz is grateful for his new lease on life, and for the
of Osteopathic Medicine. Tampa General ranks No. 1 in care he’s received. “Dr. Oncu is amazing. I love that guy!”

the nation for transplants by volume and performs more he said. “We’ve developed a strong bond through this
kidney transplants than any other hospital in Florida, per the whole process and have connected on so many levels.”

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