--- title: "San Francisco Priests Unite in Kidney Donation | Sutter Health" description: "For two Filipino American priests, faith and friendship came together in a way neither of them could have predicted." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/san-francisco-priests-unite-in-kidney-donation-2078938737" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Patient Stories](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories) / 3. San Francisco Priests Unite in Kidney Donation # San Francisco Priests Unite in Kidney Donation California Pacific Medical Center * * * 2026 Contributor: [Steven Katznelson](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-steven-katznelson-1046243630) 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](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/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](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/transplant) at Sutter Health. ## Discover similar stories Choose a service topic below to read more stories like this one. [Kidney transplant services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories?verticalKey=patient_story&facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_services.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Kidney+transplant+services%22%5D%7D%5D) ## Advanced care for new beginnings We’ve cared for more than 10,000 transplant patients, providing life-saving care from evaluation to post-surgery support. [Request a referral](https://www.sutterhealth.org/referrals) ## Meet our care team ![Steven Katznelson, M.D.](http://a.mktgcdn.com/p/WWZp8IQLwHUy0U5qGaLMcNkRgE3VqwpI7HsCvJUMgT0/480x480.jpg) [Steven Katznelson, M.D.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-steven-katznelson-1046243630) Nephrology Kidney Transplant ## Related articles [View all articles](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories) - Patient story ### [Turning Data Into Second Chances](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/turning-data-into-second-chances-2073152103) When 64-year-old Rogelio Hortizuela began preparing for a kidney transplant, imaging revealed an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). - Patient story ### [Second Transplant Brings Hope and Energy Back to Young Mom](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/second-transplant-brings-hope-and-energy-back-to-young-mom-2023453255) Alexis Kolsters is now living life to the fullest after her second kidney transplant. - Patient story ### [Sister’s Gift Represents Transplant First at Sutter Health](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/sisters-gift-represents-transplant-first-at-sutter-health-2077752312) CPMC in San Francisco has performed its first fully robotic living-donor kidney transplant, marking a significant milestone for the system’s transplant program. [View all articles](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories) ## Disclaimer _Each individual’s treatment and/or results may vary based upon circumstances and the healthcare provider’s medical judgment. Testimonials or statements made by any person(s) within this site are not intended to guarantee outcomes or substitute for medical advice._ ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/san-francisco-priests-unite-in-kidney-donation-2078938737#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Patient Stories","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"San Francisco Priests Unite in Kidney Donation"}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/san-francisco-priests-unite-in-kidney-donation-2078938737#videoobject","name":"A Blessing Shared - (Extended Cut)","inLanguage":"en-US","thumbnailUrl":"https://cf-images.us-east-1.prod.boltdns.net/v1/static/817826402001/4a208139-05aa-4cee-8ff7-16d7ec9c422f/9dd6700b-5701-4b85-bfa8-fa14c5fe2014/1280x720/match/image.jpg","uploadDate":"2026-08-04T02:06:06.008Z","embedUrl":"https://players.brightcove.net/817826402001/79bcaa57-54d7-453c-9f1f-8ab3ef7b15de/index.html?videoId=6402710518112","description":"When Father Ray needed a kidney, Father Francis answered the call. Their story is a powerful reminder of faith, friendship and the life-changing impact of living kidney donation.","duration":"PT4M21S","transcript":"FATHER RAY REYES: The Lord be with you.\nAUDIENCE: And with your spirit.\nFATHER RAY REYES: Happy Easter, everyone.\nAUDIENCE: Happy Easter, Father.\nFATHER RAY REYES: I feel like I have risen.\nAUDIENCE: Yes.\nFATHER RAY REYES: Thank you.\n[APPLAUSE]\nERIC MILLER: In our country, about half a million people\nright now are on dialysis.\nAbout one-fifth of those patients\nare listed or active for a kidney transplant.\nFATHER RAY REYES: When I was diagnosed in 2019,\nmy doctor said the disease was irreversible.\nAnd one day, sooner or later, my kidneys will fail.\nSHIANG-CHEUNG KUNG: When I speak to recipients,\ntheir first response is, I don't have a donor.\nAnd usually, I tell patients, if they can get a living donor\ntransplant, that frees up the deceased donor for somebody else\nwho don't have a choice of a living donor.\nFATHER RAY REYES: It dawned on me,\nif I have asked my parishioners to pray for me\nand ask me to help them, why can't I do the same?\nSHIANG-CHEUNG KUNG: So one of the things we've done so far\nis recruited a fulltime living donor champion\nwho then convinced Father Reyes to mobilize his resources\nand then get a living donor available.\nFATHER RAY REYES: Thanks to Maggie Jacobs, the living donor\nchampion of CPMC, for sharing her story\nand for her willingness to extend herself to help.\nMAGGIE JACOBS: I have the experience\nas a caregiver and a donor, and so I\nwas able to relate to him not on a clinical level,\nbut on a human level.\nFATHER RAY REYES: Maggie's testimony,\nand somehow, God has spoken to me.\nWhy don't you be humble enough to share your story?\nMAGGIE JACOBS: From the time he was listed to transplant,\nit was six months.\nYou're creating an emotional connection\nso people can see themselves in your story.\nYou're not asking.\nYou're simply sharing your need, and you're\ngiving people an opportunity to do something beautiful for you.\nERIC MILLER: And, lo and behold, the parishioners\nknew what had happened.\nAnd when they read my appeal for a living donor,\nalmost 40 people came forward to the hospitals,\nthat they could be my potential living donor.\nFATHER FRANCIS GARBO: At first, Father Reyes\nalready opened up to me about his health condition.\nI heard about the need for transplant.\nSHIANG-CHEUNG KUNG: The fact that his donor turned out\nto be his friend, I think made it very special.\nFATHER RAY REYES: So I had a good match, not just a kidney,\nbut a holy kidney.\nERIC MILLER: The thing that makes CPMC kidney transplant\nprogram special is our ability to provide a very\npersonal evaluation process.\nSHIANG-CHEUNG KUNG: We don't want a donor to donate a kidney\nand ever end up on dialysis themselves.\nERIC MILLER: And sometimes making multiple\ncalls between colleagues and other experts\nin the department to ensure that we're making the right decision\nfor the patient in front of us.\nFATHER FRANCIS GARBO: After the testing,\nI received a call that I was chosen,\nand then they told me to bring the good news to Father Reyes.\nFATHER RAY REYES: And so while I'm waiting, patiently waiting,\ndoing dialysis in between, until Father Francis\ncame to the picture.\nHe was the best match that was found for me.\nERIC MILLER: Deceased donor kidney is placed on a pump,\nor it's placed on ice.\nIn a living donor process, however, the donor surgery\nhappens in the morning, and then it's transplanted immediately.\nSHIANG-CHEUNG KUNG: He could feel different immediately\nafter transplant, that his energy has returned,\nand he's back to doing what he enjoys.\nFATHER FRANCIS GARBO: What I've learned from this experience\nis that we are together.\nThey have to learn that there are people\nwho would like to help them.\nFATHER RAY REYES: My experience at CPMC hospital\nwas very satisfying and very personal,\nand they were so attentive.\nFATHER FRANCIS GARBO: And I felt guided.\nFATHER RAY REYES: We had excellent doctors\nwho explained to me the whole team of Sutter Health\nwould be supporting my care team.\nNow we have this great collaboration.\nAnd this was all because Father Francis shared his kidney to me.\nFATHER FRANCIS GARBO: I am just an ordinary Joe.\nAnd I said, Lord, if it is your will\nthat I give what you have given me, I will ready.\nFATHER RAY REYES: Truly, my dear friends, the people around us\nare God's hands to meet our needs.\nIn truth, I deprived them and denied\nthem the blessing to care.\n[INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC]"} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/san-francisco-priests-unite-in-kidney-donation-2078938737#article","name":"San Francisco Priests Unite in Kidney Donation","headline":"San Francisco Priests Unite in Kidney Donation","abstract":"For two Filipino American priests, faith and friendship came together in a way neither of them could have predicted.","description":"For two Filipino American priests, faith and friendship came together in a way neither of them could have predicted.","keywords":["Kidney transplant 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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.","mentions":[{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-steven-katznelson-1046243630#Person","name":"Steven Katznelson, M.D."}]} ```