Bexar County Jail sergeant Joseph Vela is scheduled to receive a kidney transplant on July 1, with fellow deputy José Calderón as the donor. Vela was diagnosed with stage 5 kidney failure and has been undergoing dialysis since his kidneys were found to be functioning at just 10% as of February.
Calderón, a deputy in the Bexar County Traffic Unit and Vela’s friend of 15 years, offered to donate a kidney on the same day Vela received his diagnosis. “The day that he was diagnosed with stage 5 kidney failure, we were on the phone and we were talking about it and I just said, ‘Hey, where do I sign up,’” Calderón said. He added, “I didn’t hesitate because I know he would do the same for me.”
Vela described the emotional and physical toll of his condition, saying, “It's just been this weight on my chest, like this cloud that's weighed over me.” He also explained limitations imposed by his dialysis port: “The port that I have, I can’t go swimming, and it’s summertime and we go to the lake a lot, Schlitterbahn, Fiesta Texas. Because it’s exposed, I can’t let it get wet and get infected.”
Vela confirmed the upcoming procedure, stating, “She said we have a tentative date for July 1. We’ve had countless visits and tests done.” Calderón expressed optimism about their shared future: “I’m excited to be able to have my friend here back at 100%. We’re both girl dads. And we’ll grow old together and raise our daughters together and life will continue to be great.”
A fundraiser has been established to support Vela’s medical expenses and recovery. Vela is a husband and father, and both he and Calderón continue their duties in Bexar County law enforcement as they prepare for the transplant.