Donor Search Success Stories

It was a heart-warming reunion Friday for a toddler, her mother and family members who returned to the Westchester County hospital where the little girl received a rare and life-saving kidney transplant.

Hadley Frusciante, a curious 21-month-old, sat in her stroller, more interested in her egg-shaped yellow maraca than the sometimes emotional adults who stood at a podium in the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital lobby lauding the kidney transplant that saved her. 

Insley Santifort was born in November of 2020 with no kidney function; from the beginning of her life, she had to be on dialysis. After an unsuccessful initial kidney transplant at another institution, Insley transferred to ECU Health to receive a second kidney transplant in 2024.

James Dick, 77, has been a dentist in the area for over 50 years, helping people better their smiles and lives. Now, he’s the one in need of help after being diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) due to kidney failure in February. 

James Dick, 77, has been a dentist in the area for over 50 years, helping people better their smiles and lives. Now, he’s the one in need of help after being diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) due to kidney failure in February.

Three coworkers share a unique bond after going through the journey of kidney donations. “I didn’t even think about it. I just knew I had to do it,” said Teresa Weaver, Closing and Transaction at KW Siouxland, discussing her experience with donating a kidney.

Ernie Falbo’s future certainly looked, well, uncertain that day two years ago his doctor told him he had kidney disease. Stage 4 kidney disease. At age 79. His numbers were bad and getting worse, the doctor said, and soon he would need daily dialysis or a transplant. 

Arnold “Sandy” Strauss, a retired teacher and coach of Valley Central Middle School and Wallkill High School, received a special gift two weeks ago: a spare kidney from Becky Maher, a Valley Central graduate and Monticello School teacher, allowing him to continue living a healthy, happy life with his family.

Longtime Guilford resident Mark Harris is experiencing kidney failure and is hoping that by sharing his story, he can do what he does best: educate.

For the past 33 years, Thomas and Rhonda Johnson have been inseparable from small moments to hard times. In 2022, Thomas heard devastating news. “I knew that I had 50% usage of my kidney. And so, I just was like, I wasn’t concerned about it until they told me the numbers. And it was like …