Man Starts Campaign To Find Sister Kidney Donor

HAUPPAUGE, NY - A brother's mission to help his sister find a kidney is getting one step closer to saving her life.

When Anthony DeLorenzo realized he was not a match to donate his kidney to his sister, Hauppauge resident Jaclyn Maltaghati, he started the Facebook page to find someone who can.

Maltaghati was diagnosed at the age of 6 in 1990 with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) or chronic kidney disease.

It was inconclusive as to what caused it; it was ruled out though as being genetic.

While it is still unknown what caused the disease, as a result of it, Maltaghati had to have her right kidney removed.

According to DeLorenzo, her remaining left kidney was functioning at about 60 percent at the time, so doctors said she would have a little time before needing dialysis and in turn going on a kidney transplant list.

However, at the age of 10, Maltaghati's left kidney began to fail and she had to begin what turned out to be a long journey on dialysis.

Unfortunately, both parents weren’t a match for her and DeLorenzo was too young at the time to get tested, so Maltaghati waited on the kidney transplant list for over 7 years. Because her blood type is B positive, which is rare, it makes it a bit harder to receive a match in a short period of time.

"Given her circumstances, Jaclyn remained strong, positive, and in turn persevered on and made it her goal to have as normal a life as she could, especially during her teenage years," DeLorenzo said. "Upon finding out about her illness, many were in shock because it never showed on Jaclyn’s face. She always faced every day with a smile and positive outlook."

In April 2000, Maltaghati luckily received a kidney from a cadaveric donor and since then, she has been able to graduate from Sachem High School in 2002, graduate from St. Joseph’s College in 2006 with a dual major in child study education and speech communication, receive her master's in literacy from Long Island University in 2008, begin working as a special education teacher in 2006 for the Three Village Central School District, get married to her now husband, Michael Maltaghati, in July 2012 and give birth to her son Joseph Michael Maltaghati in June 2016.

However, after 18 years, Maltaghati's kidney is failing and she is in need of living donor kidney.

This time her husband, parents, uncle, close friends, and brother were all tested but unfortunately, no one was a match.

That inspired DeLorenzo to start the Facebook page "Sister in Need of Kidney."

"I knew I had to do something," he said. "I figured what better than to use the power/exposure of social media to share my sister’s story with the hopes of getting some donors for her."

The page quickly gained popularity, receiving several hundred "Likes" in just a few short days.

"I was blown away by the amount of support we received from people from all walks of life and locations," DeLorenzo said. "They’re truly are some great people out there; willing to give just for the mere fact of giving back. My family and I already plan on keeping the page going even after Jaclyn receives her kidney transplant; as to help raise awareness for organ donation in order to help others who are in need just like my sister."

The response from the community since the page has been created has been overwhelming, according to DeLorenzo.

"So many people out there want to help. I have received several questions in regards to blood type, the process itself, and how one can get tested," he said. "It simply amazes me how many good people are out there."

The Hauppauge community in particular has been very vocal in sharing Maltaghati's story.

"I just want to take this time to thank the Hauppauge community who have already reached out to support my sister by sharing her page, getting tested, and/or by simply sharing her story with friends and family," DeLorenzo said. "It really means more than we can express as a family to have so many out there lending a helping hand; for that we are forever grateful."

DeLorenzo also says that he wants people to know how giving and caring his sister is.

"She is always the first person to lend a helping hand to someone else who is in need. She portrays this characteristic on a daily basis, especially throughout her job as a special education teacher," he said. "She never thinks twice about giving to others. Organizing this page, is my way of giving back to her in hopes of finding her a donor. She deserves to live a long and happy life raising her son, with her family and friends by her side."

Photo: Facebook.com/Sister in Need of Kidney