Kristin Lukowski of The Michigan Catholic
Published May 25, 2007

Gregg McIntosh | The Michigan Catholic Adalberto "Beto" Espinoza, left, with kidney donor Timothy Renz, (back row) Renz's parents Jane and John Renz, and (front row) Espinoza's sisters, Cecilia Espinoza and Carmen Rodriguez.    FYI   • You're not too old or young to donate an organ — both infants and senior citizens have donated organs. • Living people can donate a kidney or part of the pancreas, lung, liver or intestine. • Most donated organs are from people who have died. • Blood, blood platelets, and bone marrow can all be donated more than once. • The first living organ donation was a kidney transplant in 1954. • Kidney donation is the most common living organ donation. • As of May 1, there were 3,175 people in Michigan on a waiting list for organs. • Each day across the nation, 77 people receive an organ that saves their life, but 19 others die while on the waiting list. • The average waiting time for a heart is 230 days; for a kidney, it's 1,121 days. • Michigan residents can register to be an organ donor at www.giftoflifemichigan.org or through a Secretary of State office. Sources: OrganDonor.gov, www.giftoflifemichigan.org

Royal Oak — Adalberto "Beto" Espinoza and Timothy Renz haven't known each other very long, aren't in the same year of studies at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, and aren't even from the same state.

Yet, when Renz found out that he was a suitable match to replace one of Espinoza's failing kidneys, he never faltered in his decision to help his fellow seminarian.

"I seriously think it was the Holy Spirit that helped me through it," he said. "I never got that freaked out by it. I think the Holy Spirit just kept me calm and got me through it."

Espinoza, of Marine City, received one of Renz's kidneys May 16 at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. Renz has since been discharged from the hospital, Espinoza has been moved out of intensive care, and both men are recovering as expected.

Espinoza, 39, is still in physical pain, he said last Saturday from his hospital bed, but most of all, he feels grateful for Renz's gift, joking that giving a kidney takes a bit more of a commitment than cooking someone a few enchiladas. "And I know that it's a big sacrifice," he said.

Fr. Bob Spezia, spiritual director for the college of philosophy and moderator of the liturgy, called to mind the Bible verse where Jesus says there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for a friend. "What a beautiful testimony to today's seminarians," he said.

"I think in terms of the priesthood, priests are to imitate Jesus who gave His life and a priest is to be a mediator of divine life."

Both Espinoza and Renz agreed that the experience would make them more empathetic priests — more sensitive to the needs of the ill, for example. "I'll definitely know more what they're going through," Renz said.

Espinoza's kidney problems developed as a complication of diabetes, and he's been on dialysis since last summer. He knew he would eventually need a transplant, and he spoke to priests and friends at the seminary about it.

When he explained to Renz that people could sign up to be tested if they were a match, Renz, 27, decided to do it. "I just figured, if he needs people to sign up, why not?" he said.

Espinoza remembers they were at the O'Berg's Student Lounge, at the seminary, when he learned Renz was a match. "I was praying for him since then," Espinoza said.

Renz, who's from Helenville, Wisc., in the Diocese of Madison, said although he had plenty of chances to back out of his decision, he wanted to go through with it. "It just seemed like what God wanted me to do now," he said. "I was fairly committed.

"I think I would have been very disappointed if I would have backed out, (seeing) what God wants you to do, and then to not do it."

The two men have known each other for two years — Renz will be a first-year theology student in the fall, and Espinoza will start his third year. Espinoza said he's grateful to God, and grateful for Renz and his decision. Both agreed that it was likely God's plan that they were at the same seminary.

"I have been thinking a lot about it," Espinoza said. "I pray for Tim every day because it's just unbelievable — prolonging my life.

"I think it's been a spiritual journey for me," Espinoza said.

The men received anointing of the sick at the seminary the day before surgery. "The whole seminary has been very supportive, too," Espinoza said.

Adalberto "Beto" Espinoza, left, with kidney donor Timothy Renz, (back row) Renz's parents Jane and John Renz, and (front row) Espinoza's sisters, Cecilia Espinoza and Carmen Rodriguez.

Renz's mother, Jane Renz, said it was no surprise her son stepped up to help someone in need. "He never doubted that he was going to do it," she said. "He's just always been a very kind, giving, thoughtful, person — there's not a selfish bone in his body."

She said her son's already pointed out good that's come out of the experience, including getting people, both in Detroit and in his home parish, praying who might not usually pray. "It's really been a wonderful, wonderful experience," she said.

Espinoza's cousin, Maria Ochoa, was in town from Texas with other family members to support Espinoza through the operation and some of his recovery. She said the family is blessed to know him.

"We know the goodness that comes from him," she said.

The family kept praying for a miracle that he would be healed and that Renz wouldn't have to give his kidney, until Renz went into surgery and the family started praying for the recovery of both men.

"I think what we learned also is that there are miracles not just in healing inside the body, but there are miracles in the generosity of Tim and giving his kidney," she said. "I think those are examples of miracles that happen every day. They go through the operation to show other people, look, look what they've done for their brother, and look what they've given to their brother."

Renz was to be in town for a week or so after his discharge before heading back to Wisconsin to finish recuperating. Both men will be able to lead normal lives after they are through healing.

"I don't have to go to dialysis anymore," Espinoza said, adding that before the transplant, he couldn't even travel because of his dialysis treatments.

Humor has also helped the situation, Espinoza said. The other seminarians were joking that if Renz ever needed a computer, Espinoza would have to give him one. And when Jane Renz said with Espinoza's recovery, "We're getting another good priest," her son was quick to throw in, "And another Cheesehead."