Steve Beck Found His Kidney Buddy
Steve has a stong woman by his side!
Kidney Buddy wants to recognize Stephanie Beck for all her hard work and perseverance in getting Steve's story our to the masses. Steve recently celebrated his 3 month kidneyversary and we wanted to share some updates from his family.
The Beck Family is Celebrating Steve’s 3 month’s Kidneyversary January 11, 2023!
Steve is doing just great! He feels fantastic, has renewed energy and his appetite is back! Steve will be returning to Mayo Phoenix in February for his 4 month’s post op visit. We continue to be forever grateful to our Living Donor Michelle, her husband Mike and their family for giving Steve the Gift of Life! Please continue to pray for Steve and Michelle’s continued recovery. If you have any questions about Organ Donation please let me know – you could save a life too!
Denise Cariello is Grateful to her Donor Family
Register to be an Organ Donor
Denise is so grateful to her donor family because during their time of grief, the family provided the greatest gift. Getting the call that a donor is found brings a roller coaster of emotions. It is the call you have been waiting for and you are elated, nervous, scared, uneasy, grateful, and filled with a hope for a new healthy life. Dialysis had taken a toll on Denise, and she was having more bad days than good. She is now on the road to recovery but will always have a place in her heart for the donor family.
Register to be an organ donor today!
Beth Palacio Has a Kidney Buddy
The Paired Exchange program saved her life!
Beth's husband Jimi vowed to save her life and he did! Jimi is not a match for Beth but because he was registered in the Paired Exchange Program, a match was found for Beth and Jimi will be donating his kidney to someone later. The Paired Exchange program decreases the wait time for finding a living donor. Beth received her kidney from a stranger and Jimi will be donating his kidney to a stranger when a match is found. There are heroes among us that do amazing things and Beth is so grateful to her Kidney Buddy. They may never meet but her life has been changed forever by someone who was willing to give a part of herself.
To learn more about the Paired Exchange program go do paireddonation.org
Ricardo Penaranda Is Grateful
The family thanks everyone for their support
This is Ricardo Penaranda and he is now a kidney recipient.
The Penaranda family is so grateful that Ricardo will be able to watch his grandchildren grow up. The donor's family will forever be in their hearts for their selfless act. Ricardo is currently learning to take care of this life changing gift and appreciates all the support he received during his transplant journey.
Vernon Tounsel is a Kidney Warrior
It takes a village!
This is Vernon Tounsel and his wife Traci. And this week, they have something to celebrate! Vernon is now a transplant recipient and on the road to recovery.
What is amazing right now, even though he is in the hospital and his wife can’t be with him due to COVID, Vernon wanted to thank people that helped him. He posted on Facebook that he could not have done this without the love of his wife, his family, his pastor, his co-workers, the medical professionals and fraternity brothers which are all like family. But then he keeps thanking those that helped him and the list is long as he did not want to leave anyone out. Vernon's comments make you realize that people that love you become family. They do not have to be in the same city, have the same DNA, but the ones that listen, care, help, love and support you when you don’t have the energy to go on.
A message from Vernon:
"I couldn’t have done this by myself and would like to thank Deb Cunningham, Ken Cunningham, Rebecca Hall and the rest of the Kidney Buddy team for providing me with information that I knew nothing about. Information that turned out to be some of the most resourceful and help lead me to where I am today"!
Vernon and Traci Tounsel
Chuck Bernabi Got His Kidney Buddy
This man is now a Transplant Warrior!
Chuck Bernabi is now a Transplant Warrior and has a Buddy for Life. Chuck is recovering nicely and the family can breathe a sign of relief.
The transplant journey is long and hard. You experience highs and lows, days you have no energy and those that you feel pretty good. With his family by his side, Chuck is on the other side of the journey and in recovery mode. He is a warrior and the scar he has is just a battle wound that shows he won the kidney disease fight. Each scar or imperfection we get in life, just tells a story ~ one of courage, strength, life and hope.
Chuck is a strong supporter and advocate for living donor transplants!
From Sue Bernabi:
"This group is amazing. While I believe in God's timing, I also believe that the exposure and help that a person in need of a kidney gets from Kidney Buddy is phenomenal".
Frank Molino Got His Kidney Buddy
Meet Frank's Buddy for Life
You just never know who is going to be a buddy. People come into your life for a reason and Frank's buddy is just that person.
From Frank's wife Helene:
"Brunna Martins is a NICU nurse at Broward Health where I work and their paths never crossed until 10 days prior to the surgery. And now they feel like they have known her all our lives. This is all so overwhelming for all of us, she is a true beautiful angel! We love you Brunna we are truly blessed to have you in our lives!
From Helene Molino:
"I love all of you, thanks again. I don't know what I would have done without the support from Kidney Buddy".
Alyssa Nikki Alvarez Found Her Kidney Buddy
Her mate was her match!
This love story has a happy ending as her new husband was her perfect match in life and in health. Alyssa and Joven are both doing well since her transplant surgery. We will keep you posted on this fairy tale love story.
Alyssa Nikki Alvarez and Joven Alvarez on their wedding day. Alyssa is just getting started on her beautiful life with her new husband. Her smile is as bright as the California sun where they live. She loves to travel and she needs the chance to see the world with her soulmate.
Neal Wiseman is Feeling Grateful
A new lease on life!
Neal Wiseman is feeling grateful as a tragedy in the lives of family friends was a gift to Neal. His friends designated their loved one's kidney to Neal after a sudden passing. It happened at Jackson Memorial in Miami where Neal was registered and it was a match. He understands that the selfless act of his friends is a gift he will cherish always.
Those of us a Kidney Buddy have both families in our hearts as this was such a gift in a time of sadness.
Joanna Junod Found Her Kidney Buddy
Update on Joanna's Journey!
Joanna is doing well after surgery. She found her Kidney Buddy and buddy for life in Stacey. Both are home after surgery, and they are living proof that miracles happen every day. Both had a fabulous support system and had amazing healthcare at IU Health. They call it a journey for a reason as there are ups and downs, but the reward of giving someone a second chance at life, is life changing for both.
Joanna and her buddy for life - Stacey!
Arthur Martens Found his Buddy
A pair was the winning hand!
Through the paired donor program, Arthur has received his kidney transplant. He is recouping in Texas where they did his transplant. Wishing his donor and Arthur and his family a speedy recovery.
Andrew Astarita Found his Kidney Buddy
Andrew has recovered from his kidney transplant and is enjoying his new found health.
Ed Hirschberg Needs a Kidney Buddy
Ed Needs a little help from his friends!
This is Edward Hirschberg and he needs a living donor.
Ed is a loving husband, father, grandfather and an active member of his synagogue. He has enjoyed a successful career as a CPA and Forensic Accountant in the Ft. Lauderdale area. By all accounts, he has a wonderful life, yet his health is failing. Ed has Stage 4 Kidney Failure and is currently on Peritoneal Dialysis. In order to maintain the life he enjoys, he will need a living donor.
Ed was born in Germany to survivors of the Holocaust. He was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana where his parents instilled strong family values such as hard work, perseverance, and generosity. He lives in Weston with his wife Diane, has two children and two grandchildren. He went to Formula 1 Racing School, completed the Citizen’s Academy training for the FBI and co-piloted a helicopter across the country. Ed is now retired so when he is not playing golf, working for charities, or driving race cars, he is trying to educate those about being a living donor. The more people that are tested, the greater the chances to find a match. So, to an accountant, it truly is about the numbers. Please add your name to the list.
Blood Type 0+
Ed is registered at Memorial Transplant Institute in Hollywood, FL
Elizabeth Martin, RN, Living Donor Coordinator, 954-265-7450.
Robert Gamarano Needs a Kidney Buddy
Let's restore this man's health!
This is Robert Gamarano and he needs a living donor.
Bob is a loving husband, father, grandfather, and business owner who resides in Gilbert, Arizona outside of Phoenix. Bob understands stressful situations as he owns a restoration business, so his company cleans up after water damage and restores someone's home or place of business. Well, that is what this active outdoorsman is looking for, a way to restore his health. He was first diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease (ERSD) in April of 2021 and has been on the donor list since December of 2021. His doctor recently advised him that he must begin dialysis. Bob is 54 years old, the youngest of six children, and in otherwise good health. However, none of his family members are possible donors.
Bob met his wife of 30 years while living in Colorado. He was working for her brother at the time and when she came to Colorado for a visit, her brother had Bob pick her up at the airport. This was the start of a wonderful life. Bob and Julie have three children, and five grandchildren who lovingly call this pair Lolli and Pop. This dynamic duo with their grandbabies is sweetness overload. They have a full life of family, friends, traveling and fishing. But now his health needs to take top priority. The whole Gamarano family is working together to find a living kidney donor so please fill out the questionnaire to see if you can be a match.
Lorrie Hartel RN, BSN
Transplant Program Specialist,
Dignity Health
St. Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center
Direct: 602-406-6199
OR
go directly to:
Darryl R. Miller Needs a Kidney Buddy
This husband needs to crack the code on finding a donor!
This is Darryl R. Miller, and he needs our help in finding a living donor. Darryl is battling a heredity condition known as Polycystic Kidney Disease, or PKD for short. Polycystic Kidney Disease is a disorder that primarily affects the kidneys. The growth of cysts causes the kidneys to become enlarged and leads to kidney failure.
Darryl grew up in Michigan as the youngest of four siblings. Unfortunately, due to health and compatibility reasons, none of Darryl’s siblings are able to provide assistance to him. Darryl remained in Michigan after college/graduate school, but now is a Technology Specialist with the Federal Government in Washington D.C. He and Terri have been married for 28 years after meeting in college. Darryl and Terri went to Central State University and met during their freshman year. Although it was not a first sight connection, there was certainly a memorable one, and fate brought them back together.
However, a picture-perfect life is only perfect when you have your health. This self-proclaimed computer geek is much more comfortable in front a computer screen rather than on a website asking for help. But help is what he needs. He is currently registered at three top rated transplant facilities, so he just needs people to be tested to see if they are a possible match to be a living donor.
Blood Type 0.
• University of Michigan: Transplant Coordinator Trey Nisha Jones - 734.936.9435
• Georgetown University Hospital: Transplant Coordinator Maria Cecelia Balmores 703.698.9254
• University of Maryland: Transplant Coordinator Lisa Parker - 410.328.0786
Lance Parrott Will Be Remembered
Meet Lance Parrott!
Lance graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans where he received a dual degree in Business Administration and Marketing. This proud father of three certainly has some bragging rights. His oldest, graduated from Penn State, Go Nittany Lions, went on to Howard Law School and is now a lawyer in Washington DC. His other daughter graduated from Syracuse and she plans to continue her education either in medical school or graduate school. And not to be outdone by the ladies in the family, his son is in graduate school studying sports management.
He is also a father to a rescue dog, a two-year old American Rose Nose Pitbull Terrier named Mac. Luckily the dog has a short name since the breed does not.
His disease has a name, although the acronym is a lot easier to handle. FSGS is Focal Segmental Glumerulosclerosis and it is a rare kidney disease where finding a living donor is his only option. He was diagnosed back in high school after football practice and he has lived a healthy life style. But the years have just crept up on him and now he needs our help.
Lance's blood type is B+. Optimal donor types are B and O. This does not mean that you have to have a +/- variation of B or O blood type as other blood types may work.
Potential Donors please call Northwestern Medicine transplant Center:
312-695-0828 and ask for Elise.
Steve Byers Needs a Kidney Buddy
Heroes don't like to ask for help!
This is Steve Byers and he needs a living donor.
Steve Byers is a firefighter and former fire chief from Indiana. This small-town hero does not run away from danger, but he runs towards it. But now this larger than life husband, father, grandfather and chief needs the help of his community. Steve is in renal failure and is on dialysis 3 days a week.
Steve loves being outdoors and spending precious time with his family. He has given so much of himself to his family, to the communities of Boonville and Warrick counties in Indiana through his work as a firefighter for 26 years, a Fire Chief for 18 years and also a city council member.
Steve is registered at Indiana University Medical Center. He is 0+ blood type but there’s always the possibility of a paired exchange so you wouldn’t have to be his blood type.
His transplant coordinator is Laura Quinn,R.N. and can be reached at (317) 944-2054.
