From coworkers to family: Kidney donation changes two DART employees' lives

Pair reunites at work after surgery and months of recovery

A simple thank-you note or a batch of cookies is one way to show appreciation for a coworker. But for two DART employees, gratitude took the form of a life-saving act.

Reggie Shaw, a rail mechanic who has worked for DART for more than 20 years, was born with a kidney disease.

“I was born with a condition called PKD, which is polycystic kidney disease," said Shaw.

After years of living an active lifestyle, including running regularly, Shaw’s health declined in 2024.

“My levels fell below 20%. That’s when we started the process of getting on the list,” said Shaw.

Just two weeks into dialysis treatments, Shaw learned he would need a kidney transplant. That’s when his coworker, Carlos Sanchez, stepped in.

The two spend their days repairing trains that move thousands of people across the Metroplex. But Sanchez decided to take action beyond the job.

“Who walks up to someone and says, ‘Hey, you need a kidney?’” said Shaw.

Sanchez said he didn’t hesitate after learning about Shaw’s condition.

"I heard he was on dialysis. Probably two weeks into it, that I knew he was on there. I knew I wanted to get tested," said Sanchez.

At first, Shaw struggled to believe the offer.

"I was just blown away. I blew him off the first time he asked. I didn’t believe it,” said Shaw. “My next question was, ‘Why?’ He just said, ‘You were a good guy.'"

Sanchez said his decision came from the respect he had for Shaw.

“Yeah, I just can’t explain it. I knew, Reg is good people,” said Sanchez. “He respects everybody. He respects me, even when I was just a cleaner. We’d have conversations, but I just knew what I had to do.”

While the decision was simple for Sanchez, the transplant process was not.

"I appreciate Baylor Hospital," said Sanchez. "They wanted to make sure I was physically, mentally, spiritually fine with it, and I could say no until the day of the surgery."

Two months after first offering to donate, both men went into surgery. Doctors removed Shaw’s failed kidneys and transplanted one of Sanchez’s healthy kidneys.

For Shaw, the impact was life-changing.

“It just gave me back my freedom," said Shaw. “I don’t get off from work and go sit on the machine for four hours and 45 minutes and then go home and go to sleep."

With that freedom comes a renewed outlook on life.

"I’m going to live life to the fullest," said Shaw.

“We have to take care of ourselves, especially being single men. There’s nobody there for us, as far as driving us," said Sanchez.

Both men say they relied on strong support systems, including their sisters and Sanchez’s roommate.

Courtney Santoro reflected on their journey and recovery.

"Lets you know who you really need to appreciate in life. You never know when you need other people to be there with you, cause some people are, you know, a blessing in disguise. I'm really happy to see them doing really well and, you know, getting back on their feet," said Santoro.

Now, the two are back at work together — forever connected by the experience.

“We go through everything, every moment together," said Sanchez. "It’s just having the family around you. It picks you up. It’s a blessing."

Sanchez returned to work after about six weeks of recovery. Shaw returned this week after four procedures and three months of recovery — just in time for Employee Appreciation Week.

Shaw said he now plans to use his story to advocate for people undergoing dialysis.

"Treat people well. Yeah, you never know who’s watching,” said Shaw.

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This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital article, and an NBC DFW journalist edited it again before publication.