Determined to Donate: Daughter gives kidney to her dad despite unexpected delay
Richard Navejar is a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He has spent his retirement years running “Grandpa Daycare” for his six grandchildren. His three daughters never needed to worry about daycare, because Richard volunteered for the job.
In 2008, Richard found out he had kidney disease.
“My doctors told me I was leaking protein out of my kidneys,” said Richard. “I didn’t know anything about kidney disease or dialysis or transplants.”
Richard did not want to do dialysis, so his doctors said he could try to find a kidney donor. All of Richard’s daughters wanted to help.
DeAnna Navejar-Martinez, 29, Richard’s youngest daughter, was tested and found out she was a match. She was determined to help her dad. They scheduled the transplant for June 2018. Three months before the transplant, DeAnna and her dad had to cancel the surgery.
“My husband and I were trying to get pregnant for three years,” said DeAnna. “We put those plans on hold when I found out about my dad’s kidney disease. After we scheduled the transplant, I discovered I was pregnant.”
DeAnna said it was a bittersweet day. She was excited to finally be expecting a child of her own, but she was torn about wanting to help her dad. They put the transplant surgery on hold. Deanna’s other sisters were tested, but they were unable to donate.
“I told her ‘I can wait, mija. I’ve lasted this long,’“ said Richard.
In November 2018, DeAnna’s daughter was born. The next month, she called the team at Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant to find out how she could get back on the schedule to donate a kidney to her dad.
The transplant team performed the kidney transplant in March 2019. Richard was nervous about seeing his daughter go into surgery, but he knew everything was going to work out.
“She was up the next day and by my bed,” said Richard. “I woke up, and she was there holding my hand.”
“The transplant team was amazing. They were all so professional and helpful,” said DeAnna. “They helped me give my dad a second chance at life, and I will forever be grateful. I prayed that everything would go smooth and successful. I can say all my prayers were answered and then some.”
DeAnna’s sister took off two weeks of work to help care for her and her baby girl. DeAnna’s mom took care of her dad.
“It was all hands on deck,” said DeAnna. “Our family is very close.”
Today, DeAnna and Richard report they both feel great. She’s happy her dad’s kidney levels are normal, his blood pressure is under control, and he is taking less medicine now than before the transplant. They’ve nicknamed the kidney “Little D” for DeAnna and joke about it to each other.
“She’s my baby daughter,” said Richard. “Our bond is as strong as ever.”
Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant is nationally recognized for its transplant program. In 2019, Specialty and Transplant performed 231 living donor kidney transplants, a new national record. To learn more about kidney transplants and becoming a donor, click here: Kidney transplant program.