Texas man gives brother a kidney for Christmas

Dallas—A Mabank, Texas man only wanted one thing for Christmas this year – a healthy new kidney. Thanks to his younger brother and surgeons at Methodist Dallas Medical Center, 31-year-old Ryan Massengale got the gift he so badly needed.

Ryan was born with a congenital kidney disorder that required surgery when he was just three months old. When he was two, his right kidney needed to be removed. For nearly 30 years, Ryan’s left kidney worked properly, but two years ago, the father of three started having kidney trouble. He would have to be on dialysis unless someone donated a healthy kidney for translplant.

Dialysis is a time-consuming treatment that takes care of some things done by healthy kidneys, such as removing waste, salt, and extra water from building up in the body and keeping a safe level of certain chemicals in the body.

Ryan’s 23-year-old brother, Caleb, seen here in glasses, didn’t want his brother to undergo those treatments, and he volunteered to donate one of his healthy kidneys. Caleb was a match, and this morning, Drs. Alejandro Mejia and Richard Dickerman performed a successful transplant surgery. Both brothers are resting comfortably now, and they should both be home in time for New Year’s Eve!

About Methodist Health System

Guided by the founding principles of life, learning, and compassion, Dallas-based Methodist Health System (Methodist) provides quality, integrated healthcare to improve and save the lives of individuals and families throughout North Texas. Ten hospitals proudly carry the Methodist Health System brand, as owners or through affiliation. More than two dozen Methodist Family Health Centers and Medical Groups are among the facilities served by the nonprofit Methodist Health System, which is affiliated by covenant with the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church.