Page 17 - PGA Community News - April '25

April 2025 April 2025 PGA C.A.N.!, Page 17

Tampa General Performs West Palm Beach Man’s

Lifesaving Transplant Surgery

Sister Served As Living General ranks No. 1 in the nation for transplants by volume

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