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My parents Nathan & Beverly with my    mother-in-law Gloria

Rita and her sister Victoria

 Acknowledgements 

There are numerous professionals who helped me through my medical journey. My nephrologist, Dr. Larry Weisberg, provided the medical advice to extend the life of my kidneys. Dr Anthony Sherman, our family physician, helped expedite Rita’s preliminary tests. I thank Kathleen from Quest Diagnostic who always helps my blood work.  

The nurses, rehabilitation therapists, and support staff at Jefferson Hospital had the experience and patience to help me throughout my hospitalization. Kim Phillips, my kidney coordinator, continues to monitor my condition.   The social worker Cheryl Boyd helped expedite my paperwork and nurse Karen O'Neill  that answered all my questions about my medicine regiment.  Finally, Dr. Ratner and his team of surgeons and nephrologists were the best. They all possessed the same professional qualities.  There were many interns, fellows and doctors who really gave me the care and kindness that made the difference, to name a few,  Dr. Donald  Defoe, Dr. George Francos, Dr. Timothy Martins, Dr. Atul Rao and Dr. Keith Kuenzler, I say a special thanks.

 To my law firm, Cooper Levenson, your support is greatly appreciated.  I am proud to be associated with such great lawyers and compassionate people. In particular I want to thank Lloyd Levenson, Ken Calemmo, Cathy Ward and my fellow employees in the Cherry Hill, New Jersey office.

Rita’s employer, Mike Hellekson from Vital Computer Resources, Inc. , a computer network company, was kind enough to extend her leave in order to care for her ailing husband.

To my friends in the Governor’s office, and at the New Jersey Conference of Mayors, thank you for your calls, cards and flowers. I must also thank our neighbors for maintaining and keeping a watchful eye on our house.

I want to thank my friend Harmon Bryen who always makes me laugh. Thank you Rick Mroz, Tim McDonough, Vernon Talbertt, and John Callahan for your advice and friendship. Thank you Sam Bitonti and Pat Sullivan for your kindness.

This operation brought me closer to my children, Kelly and Bryan, and for that I am grateful. I love you both and proud of your accomplishments. 

It is difficult to give enough thanks to your immediate family for all their caring and concerns throughout the process. I need to give a big thank you to Gloria and Victoria, Rita’s mom and sister.  Being nurses, they were my “in house” advisors and constant companions during my post- operative period.  While my parents (after my father died, my mother remarried a wonderful man, Nathan, who had two children from a previous marriage, Shelah and Joy) had little knowledge about the procedures, they were always supportive and loving.  Along with  Shelah, my parents were daily visitors, during good and bad times.  Joy, who lives in Chicago, visited, called, and kept in contact.   Thank you  Cousin Lewis for your love and advise.

To Richard, my brother, I owe special thanks... He religiously traveled 100 miles twice a week to visit me at the hospital. Being an experienced marketing executive, he also edited the website narrative, and for that he gets a giant hug. 

There is little I can say about Rita that would adequately describe my feelings. Besides saving my life, she was my “soul mate” from the beginning. I would not have survived this ordeal without her love and dedication.

Rita also designed this website. Without her resourceful talent, my story would not have been told. 

Rita and I are grateful for the insight from other donors and recipients. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at akidney@comcast.net or Register for News Updates and Valuable Information.