One evening late in October, San Diego-based Special Agent Dave Manglos was watching the local television news. He saw a story about a young man stricken with cystic fibrosis and in desperate need of a lung transplant. The news segment said that seventeen-year-old Matthew Joyce would die within two weeks if he didn't receive a transplant. As he watched the segment, Manglos heard a still, small voice that deeply compelled him to volunteer to help this young stranger. He knew then, he would be involved in Matt's life.

The next day, Manglos, a ten-year veteran of Customs who normally investigates narcotics smuggling cases, spoke by phone with Matt's family members. Encouraged, the family immediately referred him to a local medical center for tests to judge whether the agent's lung would be compatible with the young man's body. The procedure required the donor to be in good physical health, have type O+ blood, and be a non-smoker. Over thirty family members and friends had undergone testing. Two donors were needed - one right side, one left. Manglos was being tested as a back up donor when one of the primary donors was dismissed. The forty-year-old Manglos advanced as a primary donor. He was now certain that his involvement was no coincidence. He completed two full days of medical testing and a psychological interview.

Photo Credit: Permission to print photo provided by the Joyce family.

Special Agent Dave Manglos with Matthew Joyce at a hospital visit during the holidays. Matthew's father, Kevin Joyce (center), looks on.

Naturally, Manglos had some doubts and concerns about undertaking such a major operation and donating part of his lung; after all he had not met Matt yet, and did not know the family. After the first day of testing, Manglos met Matt and all doubts were laid to rest. After meeting the young man, Manglos recalled that Matt looked much like photos of World War II concentration camp prisoners. Although Matt was only 78 pounds, very ill and physically fragile, his will was powerful and his desire to live was strong.

The five-hour medical procedure involved the complete removal of Matt's lungs, which were replaced with one lobe from Manglos' chest and one lobe from the other donor. The human lungs consist of five lobes; three on the right side and two on the left.

The surgery occurred on November 2, 2000, less than a week after the news story aired. The day after surgery, Matt's mother handed Manglos a note from Matt. It read in part, "November 2nd is my new birthday." Matt's mother told Manglos, "Had it not been for you, Matt would have died." The agent told her that he felt "God clearly had his hand in this."

Matt was released from the hospital January 18. He is doing well, and as you may imagine, is overjoyed to go outside and breathe fresh air for the first time in over three months. He is staying at the Los Angeles, Ronald McDonald house for the next month for close observation.

Agent Manglos' surgery involved an incision about 12 inches long on the upper side of his chest. After two weeks in the hospital and three weeks recovering at home, Manglos is back at work and doing fine. He knows the voice he heard that October night, and is glad he listened. He has become very close with Matt and his family, for which he feels blessed.

Special Agent Dave Manglos is assigned to the Office of the Special Agent in Charge, San Diego, California. He is currently assigned to the Narcotic Smuggling Group VI. Special Agent Manglos is among one of the first government employees to utilize the Living Donor Leave Act, authorized by former President Clinton last summer. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic medical condition where the body produces a thick, sticky mucus in the lungs that blocks airways and impedes the natural infection-fighting mechanism, eventually turning the body's immune system against its own lung.