EJ Tamez

• Director, Patient Coaching
• Living Kidney Donor for His Brother

Eusebio J. (EJ) Tamez became a living kidney donor when he donated a kidney to his younger brother, Luis Tamez. When he found out about his brother’s need for a transplant, he had no idea he could donate as he thought you could only donate if you were deceased.

Since the transplant surgery, Luis and EJ have become enthusiastic public speakers advocating for organ donation. Speaking at medical seminars and transplant surgery events around the country, the two share their personal experiences, including the challenges and triumphs. Together, the brothers entered the 2018 Transplant Games of America held in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 2019, EJ participated in an event promoting the importance of organ donation—the Lone Star Circle of Life, a 500-mile bicycle ride from Tyler to Corpus Christi, Texas.

EJ’s passion is spreading awareness regarding just how acute the need for kidney donations is. He also serves as a valuable resource to other potential living kidney donors and recipients with the National Kidney Donation Organization. Recently he completed certification to become an Independent Living Donor Advocate (ILDA), sponsored by the American Society of Transplantation (AST).

EJ holds a BBA in International Business from Saint Mary’s University in San Antonio and an MBA from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas.

In 2011, he became the Program and Capital Manager for Howmet Aerospace in Del Rio, Texas. The facility manufactures jet engine components for the aerospace industry.

Mr. Tamez has lived in Del Rio since 2011. He resides there with his wife, Iliana, and three active teenage sons, Sebastian, Diego, and Rodrigo.

EJ loves to challenge himself at every corner, so he can be found participating in half Ironmans, swimming, scuba diving, and bicycling. He also loves watching the great outdoors speed past while perched atop his Harley.