This is the best update we have received on this long journey. Stemming from the kindness and compassion of a person who saw a poster with Jimmy’s story on it in a local pharmacy, he finally has a living donor match! He is scheduled for his kidney transplant this October. Our family is over the moon and are forever grateful.
Running for Kidney Health: Join Our NYC Marathon Fundraiser to Support Those Affected by Kidney Disease
Anna Tighe
Anna Tighe
Why I Run
Right now, 37 million American adults are living with kidney disease. This hits especially close to home because, Jimmy Tighe, my brother-in-law, is in dire need of a kidney. 1 in 3 people are at risk for kidney disease. I am running the NYC Marathon this November in hopes to raise awareness about Kidney disease and to help Jimmy finally find a matching kidney donor.
Jimmy received his first kidney transplant at the age of 7 on August 29, 1987. He needed a kidney transplant due to a congenital disorder from birth that caused his kidney to fail. The transplant saved his life, and he was able to live a healthy and active existence for many years. However, in February of 2019, Jimmy and our family received horrible news that his kidney started to fail again, and he is now in desperate need of another transplant.
Jimmy has to undergo home hemodialysis 4 times a week with his loving partner, Paula, helping him through every step. Although this is a daunting process, Jimmy continues to have an incredibly positive outlook on life. He is a dedicated and loving father to his 14 year-old son and fights through his pain every day to ensure he is there for him. Even when Jimmy isn't feeling well, he still finds time to entertain others and always makes sure everybody in his presence is having fun even when he isn't feeling well. Jimmy has been a talented Elvis tribute artist for years and continues to perform in his community when his health allows for it. You will often find his mom and dad in the crowd dancing and singing along hoping that they can watch their son finally live a full and healthy life.
The wait for a kidney donor has been long and stressful. After 3 close calls, Jimmy and our family learned the hard way that there is no guarantee that a suitable donor will be a match. Witnessing Jimmy's tribulations and seeing the hope in his family's eyes made me realize how important it is to be an organ donor and to encourage others to do the same. By donating organs, we can save the lives of those who are in desperate need of a transplant, like Jimmy.
I am running the New York City Marathon this November to raise awareness on kidney disease and to ultimately help Jimmy find a kidney so that he can continue to live his life and be there for his son. Jimmy has an O positive blood type meaning both O positive and O negative blood types could be a possible match.
Please consider sharing Jimmy's story and donating to the National Kidney Foundation as it is a life-saving organization and the first to identify kidney disease as a distinct, treatable illness. This foundation developed the staged system of kidney disease diagnosis and treatment, a worldwide standard used today.
Join me in making these advances possible by donating to my efforts!
Thank you for your support!
Right now, 37 million American adults are living with kidney disease. This hits especially close to home because, Jimmy Tighe, my brother-in-law, is in dire need of a kidney. 1 in 3 people are at risk for kidney disease. I am running the NYC Marathon this November in hopes to raise awareness about Kidney disease and to help Jimmy finally find a matching kidney donor.
Jimmy received his first kidney transplant at the age of 7 on August 29, 1987. He needed a kidney transplant due to a congenital disorder from birth that caused his kidney to fail. The transplant saved his life, and he was able to live a healthy and active existence for many years. However, in February of 2019, Jimmy and our family received horrible news that his kidney started to fail again, and he is now in desperate need of another transplant.
Jimmy has to undergo home hemodialysis 4 times a week with his loving partner, Paula, helping him through every step. Although this is a daunting process, Jimmy continues to have an incredibly positive outlook on life. He is a dedicated and loving father to his 14 year-old son and fights through his pain every day to ensure he is there for him. Even when Jimmy isn't feeling well, he still finds time to entertain others and always makes sure everybody in his presence is having fun even when he isn't feeling well. Jimmy has been a talented Elvis tribute artist for years and continues to perform in his community when his health allows for it. You will often find his mom and dad in the crowd dancing and singing along hoping that they can watch their son finally live a full and healthy life.
The wait for a kidney donor has been long and stressful. After 3 close calls, Jimmy and our family learned the hard way that there is no guarantee that a suitable donor will be a match. Witnessing Jimmy's tribulations and seeing the hope in his family's eyes made me realize how important it is to be an organ donor and to encourage others to do the same. By donating organs, we can save the lives of those who are in desperate need of a transplant, like Jimmy.
I am running the New York City Marathon this November to raise awareness on kidney disease and to ultimately help Jimmy find a kidney so that he can continue to live his life and be there for his son. Jimmy has an O positive blood type meaning both O positive and O negative blood types could be a possible match.
Please consider sharing Jimmy's story and donating to the National Kidney Foundation as it is a life-saving organization and the first to identify kidney disease as a distinct, treatable illness. This foundation developed the staged system of kidney disease diagnosis and treatment, a worldwide standard used today.
Join me in making these advances possible by donating to my efforts!
Thank you for your support!
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