Joy of Sacrificial Giving: Sister to Sister Transplant

Update: News of People, Places and Events

SAN LEANDRO, California—The sister churches in San Leandro and San Francisco experienced a period of great joy during the week that ended March 2.

Two blood sisters, one in each church, were involved. The one sister, Marie Ongchangco, had to go on dialysis after the failure of a former kidney transplant from her brother some 20 years ago. While awaiting a donor for a second transplant, the family of her sister, Yolanda Caranto, struggled with the decision whether she should become that donor.

Yolanda is the wife of Severino Caranto, our elder in San Francisco, and is the mother of three children. The family decided to begin the series of tests to determine if she was a suitable match for organ donation. During the process, the family decided that if everything checked out positive, they would proceed with the donation. Indeed, this was the case.

Both sisters were amazingly calm and at peace the day of the surgery. Family and church members throughout the Bay Area were praying.

"It seems the Comforter responded in bringing peace to the sisters and their husbands," said Pastor Jim Roberts. "And the Father blessed the procedure with great success."

SACRIFICIAL GIFT—Recipient Marie
Ongchangco (left) and donor Yolanda Caranto.
Right: previous donor, Rouel Lacsamana.