FORT SILL, Okla.- Putting the welfare of the Nation, the Army and your subordinates before your own is the U.S. Army's definition of Selfless Service. Soldiers are taught the ability to go a little further and endure a little longer to ensure mission success.
Spc. Melvin Rivera, a native of Lawrence, Maryland is a Food Service Specialist assigned to 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade, recently he put these skills to the test when he had to make a life-changing decision.
Rivera, a Soldier whose selfless service goes beyond serving his country, donated a kidney to his younger sister Kiara. Kiara was diagnosed with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis or FSGS at age nine and was forced to endure dialysis for many years.
In 2007, at the age of 14, Kiara received a kidney transplant from an organ donor, unfortunately the kidney failed two years later and Kiara was forced to go back on dialysis.
The dialysis had a negative effect on Kiara's already fragile body causing problems with her vision, bones and heart.
Rivera witnessed his sister enduring a lot of pain and many complications as a result of this disease. So when he received a phone call from his family asking if he would be interested in donating a kidney, he was ready to make the sacrifice.
"I've seen my sister struggle her entire life constantly going to the hospital, the constant ups and down in her health and I wanted her to finally have a chance at a normal life. My only thought was, what's better than the gift of life," said Rivera.
Rivera underwent multiple and extensive medical testing to determine compatibility, he had to receive permission from his command team, his brigade surgeon and approval from the Pentagon Board of Health before he could proceed.
"What Spc. Rivera has done is in every way is the embodiment of our core value of Selfless Service, he gave of himself for not only the betterment of someone else, but to save a life," said Sgt. Adam Herman, Senior Food Operations Sgt. "Not thinking of his own well-being, he did something few people would consider doing. He has always had that quality, thinking of others before himself."
Along with the uncertainty of whether the surgery would work, Rivera also faced the realization of whether or not he would be able to continue his military service. As part of the medical screening process Rivera received a counseling of understanding which outlined that his actions were voluntary.
"There are many opportunities in life, but it's rare that you get the opportunity to be someone's hero, especially to my sister," said Rivera.
Kiara and her brother are still recovering from surgery. As Kiara looks forward to enjoying a normal life, her brother continues to serve his country epitomizing the value of Selfless Service.
"Even with all the comforts and reassurances I was given, I knew that if something were to happen to me during this operation that it was for the right cause," said Rivera.
Rivera offered his final thoughts on becoming an organ donor, "There are so many people out there needing kidneys with the same disease that my sister had so I encourage everyone to become an organ donor."
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