A 13-year-old's kidney was failing, then a stranger stepped in: "I don't think there was a dry eye in the room"
CBS News • • health
Key Points:
- Thirteen-year-old Elias Manolis from Long Island, born with a rare congenital kidney condition, experienced severe fatigue leading doctors to recommend a kidney transplant, with a potential wait time of up to two years for a donor organ.
- Elias' parents launched a social media and community outreach campaign to find a living donor, which led Tim Fitzpatrick, a local father and living kidney donor match, to step forward after being moved by Elias' story.
- The transplant surgery, performed at NYU Langone, was successful with Fitzpatrick donating a kidney through a minimally invasive procedure, allowing Elias to recover and anticipate a normal life post-transplant.
- Living donor kidneys typically offer better outcomes and longevity, reducing the frequency of future transplants for young recipients like Elias, according to his medical team.
- The families have formed a close bond post-transplant, planning to maintain their relationship, with Elias now looking forward to activities like biking and enjoying his favorite foods.
