FORT SILL, Okla. -- Putting the welfare of the nation, the Army and your subordinates before your own is the 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, 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade food service specialist, recently put this value to the test when he had to make a life-changing decision to donate a kidney to his younger sister Kiara.
Kiara was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) at age 9 and was forced to endure dialysis for many years. FSGS is a disease in which scar tissue develops on the parts of the kidneys that filter waste out of the blood.
In 2007, 14-year-old Kiara received a kidney transplant from an organ donor, unfortunately the kidney failed two years later and Kiara returned to dialysis.
The procedure 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.
He underwent multiple and extensive medical testing to determine compatibility.
Being a Soldier first, Rivera also had to receive permission from his command team, his brigade surgeon and approval from the Pentagon Board of Health before he could proceed.
"What Specialist Rivera has done is in every way 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 sergeant. "Not thinking of his own well-being, he did something few people would consider doing. He has always had that quality of 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 he received a counseling of understanding which outlined that his actions were voluntary.
"There are many opportunities in life, but it's rare to 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.
"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.
Experiencing one instance of this disease gave Rivera a new appreciation for giving to others.
"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," he said.
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