“I didn’t think it was as heroic as everyone was saying,” Skinner said. “Tyler is my friend, and I have known him forever.” In September 2020, plans were made for Cortinas and Skinner to have surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in December. This decision would allow both of the patients to recover over the holiday break. However, Cortinas worsened throughout September and October. “At that point, I was at 13 percent kidney function,” Cortinas said. “They let me know if I got to 10 percent, I was going to have to go on dialysis. I really didn’t want to do that.” On Oct. 23, the nephrologist called Cortinas and told him he needed to get to a hospital immediately. His kidney function had dropped to 5 percent, and he was in danger of losing his life. Cortinas and Maggiore immediately left Waco and went straight
to the hospital in Galveston where Cortinas started dialysis treatment. Skinner, who lived in Austin at the time, made plans to get his last step of testing completed, so he could be ready for the surgery as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the testing revealed cysts on Skinner’s kidneys, which made him ineligible to be a donor for Cortinas. “That was a really sad day,” Skinner said. “I was pretty confused. I felt bad and like I had let Tyler down.” After Skinner was eliminated as the donor, the next best match was Maggiore. She completed her final tests and blood work, and the transplant surgery took place on Dec. 3. The couple spent a few days in the hospital before finishing their recovery at home with Cortinas’ parents.
Cortinas with lifelong friend Mark Skinner.
Cortinas and Maggiore recover in the hospital after the successful kidney transplant.
S TAT E M AG A Z I N E .O K S TAT E . E D U 7
