Shane Kieltyka  – “When I graduated high school, he joined the US Navy, stationed both in The Republic of Panama and later in middle east. After serving for five years, I was medically discharged, unfit for duty, due to an unknown cause of protein and blood in my urine. I was diagnosed with IGA Nephropathy.

I became a police officer with the Copperas Cove Police Department in 2000 and was under a doctor’s care to monitor my kidneys. I received my first kidney transplant October, 2008 from my mother. Two years later, my family and I were involved in an accident where our vehicle rolled three times. I broke my left ankle, left hip, two ribs, fractured sternum, punctured lung, broken neck and a broken back. My injuries were so severe I was medically kept asleep until emergency surgery could be performed. I was not given any of my anti-rejection medication because no one was aware I was a transplant patient. This caused me to suffer a rejection that doctors were unable to stop due to my injuries and length of time I was without medication.

I was unable to return to patrol due to the injuries, so resigned. I continued my law enforcement career with the Coryell County District Attorney’s office until 2015 when the transplant was complete dead and no longer working. I retired from law enforcement and became a stay-at-home father while my wife Beverly, a registered nurse, became the full-time worker.

I started dialysis shortly after retiring and put on the Transplant list. I contacted Methodist Transplant Specialty Hospital since I had living donors willing to donate a second Kidney. My wife’s best friend, Damian White, asked to be tested as a possible donor. I had previously told Damian not to test because he is a father of three and a police officer in Gatesville Tx. I trained him as a new officer when he started his career in Copperas Cove.

In December, 2018 the hospital contacted me and stated that Damian was a match and that a surgery date was going to be scheduled for the next month. The hospital called back and stated Damian was actually a better match to another patient at the hospital and there was another donor that was a better match for me. They asked if Damian would be willing to do a kidney swap and he agreed.

On January 19, 2019 we took place in a 12-person kidney swap. Six willing donors gave a kidney to six complete strangers so that their friends and loved ones could receive the best kidney being donated. Twelve surgeries were performed at the same time making sure everyone involved donated and received kidneys.

I do not know the person who gave me a kidney, but if Damian had not donated on my behalf I would not of received a kidney. I tell everyone that I have Damian’s kidney, because he is the man who stepped up and saved my life. Damain and I are best friends and both live on the same 34 acres in Gatesville. Between our families we have eight children on our land. Though not of the same bloodline, we are and always will be family. My current kidney is still performing as it did on the day I received it and I have had no negative effects on this kidney.

Damian has allowed me to continue to be a father and husband. My wife and I will celebrate 21 years of marriage in October of 2022 and we have five children.”