Ferguson associate gives the gift of life
NEWPORT NEWS, VA — Ferguson associates are known for being passionate about what they do, but Daniel Cantu and Tony Laureano, employees at Ferguson’s plumbing location in San Antonio, have taken that passion to the extreme.
Tony, a diabetic since he was 8 years old, began to experience kidney failure in 2005. Three days a week for four and a half hours a day he underwent dialysis treatment to process fluids and impurities from his bodies. All of that changed when Daniel Cantu, his coworker at Ferguson, offered him a kidney and a new lease on life.
Daniel, 51, met Tony for the first time when he started working with him at the Ferguson location in February 2007. When he learned Tony was a diabetic and needed a new kidney, he felt compelled to help.
Ferguson is the country's largest wholesale distributor of plumbing supplies; pipes, valves and fittings; heating and cooling equipment; waterworks; mechanical and industrial; bathrooms and appliances; tools and safety equipment; and fire protection products. Ferguson’s culture and tradition are built upon their history of supporting civic, cultural and educational activities through participation and financial contributions that focus on youth development, education, food and shelter, health and safety, disaster relief, environmental and economic development, culture, the arts and more. Ferguson associates are known for their energy, enthusiasm, and great attitudes. Daniel and Tony are no exception.
"I started praying for him and asking the Lord to cure his kidneys," Daniel said. "I didn’t think He would use me to help cure him."
When Daniel first informed Tony that he was getting tested to see if he could be a kidney donor, Tony told him no. "But I told him maybe that’s what I’m here for — to help him," Daniel said. "God tells you that if you see someone in need and you can help, help him. That was my answer."
In many cases, kidney donors are family members who either match the recipient through their blood-type, tissue-type or both. However, such would not be the case for Tony. Instead, Tony received the amazing gift of a new kidney from his coworker. It turns out Daniel wasn’t just a blood match, but he was a tissue match, as well!
"When I heard that Daniel was going to be tested, I was elated," Tony said. "But how do you find the words to say thank you for something like that. It was such a selfless act. So, when we found out he was a match … Wow! It’s kind of rare that that happens."
The fact that he was both a blood and tissue match for Tony let Daniel know that he’d made the right decision. "To be a blessing like this for somebody is a blessing to me," he said, "and to be a help of this magnitude is an even bigger blessing to me."
Tony and Daniel waited nearly a year before actually undergoing the transplant procedure. The surgery took place on Aug. 13, and it was a success. Tony was out of work for six weeks and Daniel was out for seven. But both men since have returned to work, and they are feeling great.
"When I woke up from the transplant, I can’t describe the feeling but I felt 100 percent better," Tony said. "It was an amazing feeling! No more dialysis and I am back at work!"
During his two-and-half years on dialysis, Tony said saw many people quit their jobs because they couldn’t handle both the demands of working and the rigors of the procedure. "I always felt drained after my dialysis treatments. It was a big machine and it filtered my blood, but nothing works like the real thing," he said. "Now, I feel great. I feel wonderful! With a new kidney, you just feel so much better and your quality of life is so much better. I can actually have a life now."
San Antonio General Manager Ram Saenz said that what makes Tony’s and Daniel’s story even more inspirational is that despite the stress the two must have been under, they managed to grow sales at their location, which provides plumbing and HVAC supplies to contractors and homeowners. Their successes earned them the 2007-08 Small Branch of the Year Award in their district.
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