Friends, please take a moment to read this urgent message on Facebook from Debbie Buttino Dalessandro, the wife of Deacon Mike Dalessandro of the Diocese of Buffalo:
Hi all. Pictured is my husband of 20 years, Mike Dalessandro He was born with a genetic kidney disorder called Polycystic Kidney Disease. Numerous cysts have grown throughout his kidneys over the years, causing his kidney function to deteriorate. Mike is now in stage 4 renal failure and is in need of a transplant. Doctors recommend a living donor for the best long-term outcome, which would be essential for Mike, since he is only 45 years old. A deceased donor kidney could take 5 years to become available to him, which is too late.
I am appealing to you with great humility and hope that a donor can be found, but I realize this is a big ask. The donor would need to have type O blood, be in relatively good health, and available for a five-week recovery period. There is no cost to the donor, other than some initial discomfort, and the time spent giving someone a second chance at life!
We live in West Seneca NY, with our three teenage children. Mike teaches Physics in Williamsville and is a Deacon at Queen of Heaven Parish. He is a regular volunteer at the Little Portion Friary homeless shelter in Buffalo.
If you are considering becoming a donor, please contact the Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, at 585-275-7753 to find out if you might be a viable candidate.
You will need the following information: Michael Dalessandro, DOB June 24, 1975.
You can find out more information about the living transplant donor process at this address. (https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/transplant/live-donor.aspx.)
If you can’t help by becoming a donor, please consider sharing this post!
Our abundant thanks, Debbie and Mike
