All in the family: Texas hospital sets new kidney transplant record with a personal highlight
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth
Fort Worth, Texas
Saaith Lara, left, with his father, Alonso Lara
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth reached a milestone in 2025, setting new records for both living kidney donations and total kidney transplants. The achievement was highlighted by a powerful personal story: 23-year-old Saaith Lara donated a kidney to his adoptive father, Alonso Lara. “He’s done so much for me,” Saaith said. “If I could have him around for so much longer, why wouldn’t I?” His donation was one of 22 living donor kidney transplants performed at the hospital in 2025 — the highest annual total since the transplant program began in 1986. Overall, Texas Health Fort Worth completed 71 kidney transplants during the year, surpassing the previous single year record of 65 set in 1998.
Hospital leaders say the record-breaking year reflects both clinical excellence and a growing culture of generosity around organ donation. “This record-breaking achievement reflects the extraordinary dedication of our transplant team as well as the inspiring generosity of donors,” said Jared Shelton, FACHE, president of Texas Health Fort Worth. Program leaders credited several initiatives for the increase, including expanded donor eligibility, bilingual online donor applications, added transplant coordination staff and increased education to help patients talk with family and friends about donation.