San Francisco Priests Unite in Kidney Donation

For two Filipino American priests, faith and friendship came together in a way neither of them could have predicted.

For Rev. Raymund Reyes, known to many as Father Ray, the road to a kidney transplant was long and uncertain. The pastor of St. Augustine Catholic Church in South San Francisco was diagnosed with stage 3 kidney disease in 2019. Over the next several years, his kidney function declined and he began dialysis while facing the reality that a deceased donor kidney could take years to become available.

A living donor kidney, he was told, would offer a better chance for a faster transplant and better long-term outcomes.

But Father Ray struggled with one of the hardest parts of his journey: asking for help.

“As a priest, all I have wanted was to be of service for others and not to be a burden,” he said.

For years, he kept his diagnosis private. But as his health challenges became more difficult, parishioners began noticing his fatigue and occasional absences.

What changed everything was his decision to open up about his journey, the support he received at Sutter’s CPMC and the friend who answered his call.

Finding the Courage to Share

For Father Ray, sharing his story publicly felt uncomfortable. His life had always been centered on serving others, not asking others to step in for him.

Through his care team at CPMC and guidance from Maggie Jacobs, Sutter Health’s first Living Donor Champion, he began to see asking for help differently.

Jacobs helps patients understand the living donation process and supports them in sharing their stories in ways that feel authentic and manageable. She reminded Father Ray that sharing his experience was not about placing a burden on others. It was about allowing people the opportunity to help.

“Maggie’s personal testimony reminded me of a spiritual truth — that God uses ordinary people as vessels to implement his love, healing and grace,” Father Ray said. “And so I thought, if I’ve been God’s vessel by blessing and interceding for others’ needs, can’t I also ask them to pray for me?”

That shift changed how Father Ray viewed vulnerability. Sharing his story became less about burden and more about connection.

“I find the hardest part for most people is simply giving themselves permission to share their story and be vulnerable,” Jacobs said.

A Brother in Faith Steps Forward

With Jacobs’ encouragement, Father Ray wrote a letter explaining his need for a kidney. He shared it on Facebook and in his church bulletin. Soon, his story spread throughout the San Francisco Archdiocese.

The response was overwhelming.

“Almost 40 people, including four priests, reached out to Sutter to inquire about their eligibility to be my potential living donor,” Father Ray said. “God is truly kind and merciful. He hears our prayers.”

Among those who answered was Rev. Francis Mark Garbo, known as Father Francis, a longtime friend and fellow priest.

The two had known each other for nearly 30 years, dating back to their time in the Philippines. Their friendship continued through their shared vocation and ministry, eventually bringing them both to the San Francisco Bay Area.

When Father Francis learned about Father Ray’s need, he felt called to help. After prayerful reflection and medical testing, he discovered he was a match.

For Father Francis, the decision was clear.

“I knew this was an opportunity to give my brother a second chance at life,” he said.

A Life-Changing Gift

Father Ray’s transplant took place at Sutter’s CPMC in San Francisco on January 20, 2026.

“Father Francis gave me more than a kidney that day,” Father Ray said. “He gave me a second life. He’s my hero – my twin brother.”

Steve Katznelson, M.D., a nephrologist at CPMC and medical director of Sutter’s Living Donor Kidney Transplant Program, said living donation can transform outcomes for patients by reducing wait times and providing an opportunity for transplant before health declines further.

“The generosity of living donors is extraordinary,” Dr. Katznelson said. “It changes outcomes and changes lives.”

Sutter’s transplant teams have performed thousands of kidney transplants over the decades, helping more than 10,000 patients since the first kidney transplant in 1969. Each transplant represents a coordinated effort among surgeons, physicians, nurses, coordinators and support teams who guide patients from evaluation through recovery.

Faith in Action

For Father Ray, the experience changed the way he understands service and ministry.

By opening up about his health journey, he found a deeper connection with others, including people facing their own challenges.

“We just have to rely and trust in God’s way of touching others to be his ‘vessel’ of healing,” he said.

Today, Father Ray and Father Francis share more than a vocation. They share a bond shaped by nearly three decades of friendship, faith and a life-saving gift.

“I have a holy kidney now,” Father Ray said.

Their story is a reminder that sometimes the first step toward healing is simply allowing others the chance to help.

Learn more about Transplant Services at Sutter Health.