Page 17 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - April '25

Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens, Page 17
Tampa General Performs

West Palm Beach Man’s Lifesaving Transplant Surgery

Sister Served As Living organ donation. According to the Health Resources and Diaz is grateful for his new lease on life, and for the
Kidney Donor Services Administration (HRSA), more than 103,000 care he’s received. “Dr. Oncu is amazing. I love that guy!”
people are currently waiting for organ transplants in the
he said. “We’ve developed a strong bond through this
United States, and 87 percent of those are for kidney whole process and have connected on so many levels.”
Ben Diaz knew something was terribly wrong when transplants. The average wait time for a kidney transplant “Ben is an inspiration to many people. I have been
he began slurring his words. The 27-year-old West Palm is four years – sooner if a living donor is found. amazed with his positive attitude through this process,”
Beach native had also been suffering from ever-worsening Wishing to be closer to family, Diaz relocated to West said Dr. Oncu. “Dialysis isn’t easy and at times it can be
headaches and nausea. Living in Texas at the time, he Palm Beach, where his care transferred to Dr. Kerim Oncu overwhelming to the patient. However, Ben just keeps on
promptly went to a local hospital emergency room, where an with Tampa General Hospital (TGH) Advanced Kidney battling, no matter what.”
ultrasound found his kidneys functioning at only 8 percent Care. Dr. Oncu specializes in nephrology, hypertension After many years working multiple odd jobs to make
and the kidney tissue completely scarred. Doctors diagnosed and kidney transplant care. He has more than 16 years ends meet, Diaz credits his CKD diagnosis with motivating
Diaz with chronic kidney disease (CKD). of experience and completed his medical training at the him to pursue a full-time career in the recording industry.
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Tampa Currently, he creates and performs alternative/hip-hop
General ranks No. 1 in the nation for transplants by music under the name Simbolikk, and works with other
volume and performs more kidney transplants than any artists as an audio engineer. “My recording career always
other hospital in Florida, per the Organ Procurement took a back seat,” said Diaz. “Now it’s front and center.”
and Transplantation Network (OPTN). Since 2020, the Diaz and Vasquez now share a much closer relationship.
academic health system has been creating a framework of She said they FaceTime on an almost daily basis. “He
state-of-the-art services for patients in the Palm Beaches checks in with my daughter, Angelise, too, asking her how
and on the Treasure Coast, with access to Tampa General she’s doing with her gymnastics and stuff,” said Vasquez.
for complex care when needed. “There are special people that you encounter in life
At first, Diaz’s mother volunteered to donate one of who make an indelible impression on you. Ben is one of
her kidneys. She was a match but, unfortunately, tests those special people,” said Dr. Oncu. “You just are happier
determined she did not have enough viable function to whenever you are around him. I feel blessed to be part of
donate. After seeing a social post to family with a plea his medical team and feel tremendous joy for how well
to help Diaz, his half-sister Ashley Vasquez in North he is doing. No one deserves it more than him!”
Carolina stepped forward as a donor. “Ben and I were not For more information about Tampa General Hospital
close at all,” said Vasquez. “Regardless, he’s my brother, Advanced Kidney Care, visit TGH.org/ThePalmBeaches
CKD is progressive and often goes unnoticed and I know he has a daughter the same age as mine. I just or call (561) 739-4TGH (4844).
until symptoms appear. It can lead to serious health couldn’t wrap my mind around the idea of his daughter
complications, including heart attack, stroke and kidney losing him.” So in March 2024, she clicked the link in
failure. If kidney failure occurs, patients go on dialysis the post and started the process.
and a kidney transplant is needed. On August 1, 2024, Diaz had kidney transplant surgery Advertise in this newspaper.
“I had no family history of kidney disease,” said Diaz. at Tampa General. With the surgery completed in Tampa,
“It was a bit of an anomaly based on my age. The doctors Diaz seamlessly transitioned back home to Palm Beach For more information
said it was most likely genetic.” He started peritoneal County, continuing postsurgical care under Dr. Oncu. On
dialysis immediately, and the search began for a kidney February 1, 2025, he reached the crucial six-month mark
donor. after his surgery, when there is a lower risk of his body call 239-278-4222
Each April, National Donate Life Month brings rejecting the organ. Plus, he no longer needs to take high
national attention to the need for, and the importance of, blood pressure medication.