I’m Miguel Baez, and I joined the United States Army in 2014, right out of high school, and served until 2019 as a 12N Horizontal Construction Engineer. My job involved operating heavy equipment to move earth, clear land, and build and maintain infrastructure wherever it was needed. In 2016, I deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, serving in Kuwait and Afghanistan. For my service in Afghanistan, I received the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
After leaving the Army, I wanted to continue challenging myself and building a future, so I pursued higher education in computer science, with interests in software engineering and project management. Today, I work in information technology in a data center environment. I am incredibly grateful that I am still able to work. Although I am living with Stage 5 kidney disease, dialysis has given me the ability to continue my career and maintain some sense of normalcy. My work gives me a sense of purpose and allows me to continue learning, solving problems, and growing professionally. Kidney disease has changed many parts of my life, but I have tried hard not to let it take away my desire to keep moving forward.
I met my wife, Cassandra, in 2015 while I was serving in the Army, and we married in 2016. This year marks our 10th wedding anniversary. Our marriage started a little differently than most—just one week after getting married, I deployed overseas, and we spent nearly the entire first year of our marriage apart. It certainly wasn’t the easiest way to begin a marriage, but we made it through together, and that experience created a foundation that has carried us through many challenges since. We do not have children, but our dogs have always been an important part of our family. In 2017, we adopted Cali, short for California, from a local animal shelter. She was with us for eight years before sadly passing away in 2025. Earlier this year, we opened our home to another shelter dog, Nova, who quickly became part of our family.
In April 2024, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney disease. Until then, I had experienced no obvious warning signs that something was seriously wrong, so the diagnosis felt like my life changed almost overnight. Suddenly, my wife and I had to adjust to a future that looked very different from the one we had imagined.
My kidney function remained stable for about a year, but in July 2025, I had to begin dialysis. I have now been on dialysis for a little over a year. I am extremely thankful for my treatments because they keep me healthy enough to work, but at the same time, dialysis has had a significant physical, mental, and social impact on my life. One of the hardest adjustments has been losing a sense of freedom that I never thought much about before becoming sick. My life now has to be planned around treatments. Something as simple as staying out late has to be considered around dialysis. This may seem like a small thing, but it makes you realize just how much small things matter as much as the big stuff.
When I have free time, I enjoy playing video games, taking walks with Cassandra and Nova, and continuing to learn. I have always enjoyed expanding my knowledge, so I often spend time studying subjects related to technology and my career. Before my kidney disease progressed, Cassandra and I also volunteered at the animal shelter where we adopted both Cali and Nova. It was something meaningful that we could do together while helping animals find families of their own. As my health declined and dialysis became part of my life, volunteering became one of the activities I had to step away from.
Receiving a kidney transplant would mean much more to me than simply no longer having to go to dialysis. It would mean getting a piece of my independence back. I dream about the ordinary things—being able to stay up late during the week, make spontaneous plans with my wife, travel more freely, return to volunteering, and live without having every day revolve around my next treatment. A transplant would give me the opportunity to spend less time simply managing my illness and more time living the life that Cassandra and I have worked so hard to build.
We need you to help us support Miguel. Whether through spreading the word on social media or considering becoming a donor, you can make a profound impact!
Living kidney donation has been proven to be safe. There are no long term consequences to the donor. After recovery, donors can live a normal life with one kidney.
DOVE will assist all prospective donors throughout the process and make sure they do not incur any out-of-pocket expenses related to the evaluation or surgery.
Please click on the link below if you would like to learn more OR call (551) 233-1611.