In this episode, we interview CDCR Lt. Salvador Bermudez who works at California State Prison Los Angeles County. “Sal” as his friends know him, discusses his history of high blood pressure/hypertension that he left untreated for a prolonged period of time. We discuss the relationship between work stress and high blood pressure, and the unique challenges he has faced working at his institution.

Sal’s untreated hypertension has led to kidney failure and he is currently receiving dialysis three days a week. He has exhausted his leave credits and continues to work while he waits for a donor to provide him with a kidney transplant. Sal is married with two children, one of which has special needs. He is the sole provider for his family.

Sal needs a kidney donor who is either O+ or O- blood type, who has no chronic medical conditions and someone who is not overweight. But even if you aren’t a match, your donation (in his name) could move his name to the top of the donor list. To apply to begin the process to see if you could donate, please go to the website:

https://usc.donorscreen.org/register/now 

If you know Sal, or have worked with him before, he could use your support. Please reach out to him. Once he receives a kidney donation, he plans to set up a catastrophic time bank so that he can have the donation surgery and recover at home afterward. 

If you don’t have his contact information, feel free to reach out to me.