A 13-year-old's kidney was failing. Then a stranger stepped in.
Summary
A 13-year-old boy from Long Island, New York, named Elias Manolis needed a kidney transplant due to a rare birth defect causing kidney failure. A local father, Tim Fitzpatrick, volunteered to donate one of his kidneys, and the transplant surgery took place in March 2025 at NYU Langone Hospital.Key Facts
- Elias was born with a rare condition blocking urine flow into his kidney, causing infections and pain.
- His kidney function worsened, and doctors said he might wait up to two years for a transplant from a deceased donor.
- Elias’ family shared his story on social media and in the news to find a living donor.
- Tim Fitzpatrick, a father with experience caring for a sick child, learned about Elias and decided to be tested.
- Fitzpatrick was a compatible match and donated one of his kidneys to Elias.
- Living donor kidneys last longer and improve transplant success compared to organs from deceased donors.
- The transplant surgery happened on March 23, 2025, at NYU Langone Hospital where both families had connections.
- Elias and his family felt hopeful and relieved after finding a living donor and completing the transplant.
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