Put your kidney where your heart is… consider becoming a living kidney donor for someone in need.

Twenty-five years ago, Carlos Baharona was in the U.S. Army and after the attacks on the homeland on 9/11, he was sent into the rescue effort to help search for and rescue survivors. He was young – only 22 -- but he understood that people needed help, and he went where he was needed.

Carlos remained at Ground Zero for two weeks, continuing the search for survivors under extremely difficult and dangerous conditions. Eventually, the mission shifted from rescue to recovery and salvage operations, as it became clear that there were no more survivors to be found. “That experience stayed with me and changed me forever,” he recalls. “It brought me to a decision that would change the course of my life.”

He left college so he could fully commit to serving his country. From 2003 through 2005, he continued in the U.S. Army as part of an infantry unit. During his service, he experienced the realities of combat and was wounded. He was received many military awards, including the Purple Heart.

After returning from service in Iraq, Carlos continued public service by joining the New York City Police Department, where he spent 20 years serving and rising to the rank of Lieutenant. Throughout his NYPD career, he worked to protect the people of New York City by getting dangerous weapons and drugs off the streets, to reduce violence and keep communities safe.

His job put him in situations where there was no room for hesitation. On December 13, 2020, he was involved in an active-shooter incident at a church, where his responsibility was to protect others despite the danger himself.

In 2025, Carlos began dealing with severe kidney problems and kidney failure, eventually forcing him to retire. Today, he says, his life is very different. Now, instead of spending quality time with his wife, Annette, and his son, Nicholas James, 7, and his daughter, Hannah Rose, 2, his life revolves around health issues.

“Now,” he says, “I am facing a different kind of fight: protecting my health and being there for my wife and my children.” A living kidney donor can help him win that fight.

Do you want to help Carlos? Please share the link to Carlos’ story or reach out to Kidneys for Communities at info@kidneysforcommunities.org to learn more about how you can help. The Kidneys for Communities team is here to answer your questions.