Be a hero and save a life

Link to full story

Not all heroes wear capes—some donate kidneys. Consider becoming a hero and saving a life by becoming a kidney donor,

Fifty-seven-year-old Mario Gallo, from Farmingville, was diagnosed with kidney disease three years ago. He has been on the kidney transplant waitlist for the past six months, and the search to find a living donor has not been easy. Unfortunately, Mario’s children, Lauren, Mario Jr., and Maddie, are not matches, but Mario and his family are not giving up hope.
“I have flyers all over my car, plus magnets and decals on the windows,” shared Janie Gallo, Mario’s wife. “Everywhere I go, I am basically a driving billboard, trying to spread awareness.”

The Gallos are calling upon the good people of Suffolk County to help find Mario a kidney donor. A match for Mario will be a non-smoker, have an O positive blood type, and will have no history of high blood pressure, illness, drug, or alcohol abuse. If you pass these qualifications, please reach out to Mario’s kidney transplant ambassador Libby Binkiewicz from Northwell Health to inquire about further testing. Binkiewicz can be reached by calling (516) 666-0899 or emailing Lbinkiewicz@northwell.edu.

The Gallos urge you to please consider taking the next step to see if you would be a match. If it is found that you are not a match for Mario, you could still be a match for someone else eagerly waiting on the kidney transplant waitlist.

“Five to 10 minutes out of your day to call or text Libby or Marc from Northwell could be life-altering for Mario, or anyone else that you would be able to help,” urged Janie Gallo. “If they were not a match for Mario, you could be a match for someone else. You would be a real-life hero.”
---
Photo courtesy of Janie Gallo