‘Walk the walk’: Abilene man donates kidney to neighbor in need

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – The average American on the kidney transplant list can expect to wait anywhere from three to five years before a match can be found, all the while having to put aspects of their life on hold as they deal with the financial, lifestyle, and mental toll that treatment demands. One year ago, KTAB/KRBC spoke with Bruce Calvery from Abilene.

In 2023, Calvery was diagnosed with stage 5 kidney cancer and anxiously awaited the results to see if the person who had volunteered to donate a kidney to him was a match. I want to clarify that this story does not center around a heartfelt bond between childhood friends or the sudden return of a long-lost relative. However, the motivation behind the donor’s decision provides a touching glimpse into the best of humanity.

“I’ve been able to keep my head above water, but yeah, I’m scared about it… Because I don’t want to let people down… First is my family, and second is my donor… He’s been a hero,” said Calvery.

Last year, Calvery made a presentation to his fellow Abilene Shriners on the impact of becoming a living donor. Among that crowd of Abilene Shriners was Michael Sherman. He and Calvery were acquaintances, but Sherman says it was Calvery’s words that night that weighed heavily on his mind and pushed him to get involved.

“One of the things that I remember is realizing what he was going through, knowing that he had a daughter at home same age as mine…I came home that evening and thought. What if I was in his shoes? What if that was me?… My wife looked at me like I was crazy, of course, but luckily, she 100% supported me. She said, If you come home and it’s weighing on you that much to do this. I’m behind you 100%,” Sherman said.

So Sherman reached out to Calvery. It’s been a year and a half, but all procedures have now been completed, and their transplant operation date has been set for July 28. After so many years of adjusting to life with kidney failure, Calvery said he is a little anxious, but excited for the operation.

“On June 5th, I got my call that I have a transplant date of July 28th. It’s been a journey. There’ve been a lot of obstacles, but we’ve been able to meet them and overcome them… Being diabetic, I’ve known dialysis would be a part of my life one day, and I knew that transplants were an option, but now that we have a date, we’re starting to count down and pack, and there’s so much to do [my wife] has taken care of 99 percent of it,” Calvery said.

For the first time in a long time, the future is a little less uncertain, all thanks to the decision of one person to do simply what they were capable of. Sherman said he refuses to be called a hero for his actions, saying he chose to help Calvery for the same reason he would support any other person.

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Organ donation information resources

• Donate Life Texas
• National Kidney Registry
• Health Resources & Services Administration – Living Donor Program

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“He’s just a great guy…I always tell my kids, you gotta walk the walk…and I couldn’t think of any good reason not to do this,” said Sherman.

The transplant operation is scheduled for Monday, July 28, at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth. Sherman will likely return from that operation just a few days after it is completed. The Calverys will be living in hospital extended stay facilities for four to six weeks of recovery following the transplant.