By Jessica Wyble
Enthusiasm and experience are two things Victor Blanco brings to work every day in his role as the outreach and education coordinator with the Kidney Acquisition team within the UTMB Health Transplant Center in McAllen.
The enthusiasm comes from his heart, but the experience has been hard-earned and it started well before he accepted his role with the team in 2017.
That’s because in 2013 he was a patient of the clinic and services he’s now promoting and working to support.
“One of my kidneys didn’t fully form,” he said, noting that the whole situation was a shock to him. “I wasn’t dealing with diabetes. My family doesn’t have any of that stuff. No history of heart conditions or anything, so we did some testing and realized it was congenital.”
At the time of his transplant surgery, Blanco was working in broadcasting but knew from the moment he met the members of his care team that he’d love the chance to use his skills to spread the word about health and wellness through UTMB.
“When I would go do my follow-ups and all that with the clinic, I would tell the surgeons and the doctors that if there’s ever a chance to make a difference with UTMB, I would love to join and be fully committed,” he said.
Originally from the Rio Grande Valley community of San Benito, Blanco visits area clinics and dialysis centers, sharing with patients information about the services UTMB can provide to those who may qualify for a transplant.
It can be a lengthy process from the first bit of paperwork to actually receiving a transplant, as things like blood type and medical screenings impact wait times and scheduling; however, Blanco follows up with patients every step of the way.
“I try to really listen to and understand each patient I encounter,” he said. “They’re going through so much, so I work to listen and figure out potential solutions when necessary.”
Given that he’s more than a decade removed from his own transplant surgery and still remains the picture of health, Blanco — who has regular follow-ups and touch points with his care team multiple times a year—is a walking testimonial for the quality of care available to the region.
“It’s so great that the expertise at UTMB reaches all the way to the border and across the state,” he said. “The services are so needed.”
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