Hello, we are the Long family and our dad, Gordy, needs a kidney transplant. He is in End Stage Renal Failure due to a genetic condition called Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis or FSGS. FSGS results in scarring and shrinking of the kidney tissue. Dad was diagnosed with this condition in 1986 and our aunt immediately donated one of her own kidneys. Twenty years later, dad’s transplanted kidney is failing and currently, he is on dialysis three days a week

Dad is 62 and has been married to our mom for 28 years. He is the father of three grown children who all grew up in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo is a close knit and friendly community and we have a large extended family as well as a supportive network of friends. Dad retired from the United States Postal Service after 35 years and up until recently, was an avid golfer and exercise enthusiast. He has always taken good care of his body, keeping in mind that he was given a 2nd chance at life.
Dad is blood type 'O', therefore he can only receive a kidney from another blood type 'O'. Fortunately, he has a low antibody level (meaning a decreased chance of rejection) and is in otherwise good health.

If you are reading this, it may mean that you are considering donating a kidney. Or at the very least, you are interested in reading our dad's story and hopefully will pass it along. Living organ donation is a unique and special act and seeing our dad struggle is heartbreaking. We pray every day for a Good Samaritan to come forward as no one else in our family is a match for Dad.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read Dad's story

Take Care,

The LONG Family

Visit his website at www.gordyneedsakidney.org

Gordy and Vic

Gordy received his life-saving kidney transplant on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at Buffalo General Hospital from Vic Cornelio, an Altruistic Donor and Gordy's Hero and Friend.

More later from the Long Family