Pinellas County Woman Offers Life-Saving Kidney To Co-Worker

LARGO, FL – Friends are people you depend on for a shoulder to cry on, a much-needed laugh or a ride to the airport.

Fortunately for St. Petersburg resident Steve Arellano, he has a friend who’s willing to go a step further and save his life.

On Wednesday morning, May 23, Arellano’s best friend and co-worker, Jennifer Millimaci, will undergo surgery at the Largo Medical Center to donate one of her kidneys to Arellano.

Millimaci and Arellano both work as assistant managers at Friendly Fisherman Seafood Restaurant in Madeira Beach.

About, two years ago, Arellano started feeling sick and run down. Doctors diagnosed him with renal failure.

To keep his kidneys functioning, Arellano must has to be hooked to a dialysis machine 13 hours a day. His only alternative is a kidney transplant. However, the waiting list for those waiting for kidney transplants is long and the chance of finding a willing donor who is a compatible match is slim.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, more than 17,000 people in the United States are waiting for life-saving kidney transplants. Not all of them will survive the wait. Thirteen people die every day while waiting for a transplant.

Realizing the fate that awaited her friend, Millimaci decided to get tested to see if she’d be a compatible match for Arellano.

“I found out that I was a match a couple months ago,” she said. “After that I went through a lot of different tests to make sure that I will be OK, too. It turns out that I am about as healthy as they come.”

Two weeks ago, Millimaci and Arellano received final approval for the transplant.

“So, on Wednesday, we will be heading to the hospital for a kidney transplant,” said Millimaci matter-of-factly.

She said she never had second thoughts about donating her kidney to Arellano.

“I am excited to do this,” she said. “I am going to save a life... one of my best friends, at that.”

Arellano said it’s a double miracle that Millimaci was willing to donate her kidney and that her tissue was a match.

"I owe her my life for this,” he said.

Because both Millimaci and Arellano will be out of work for several weeks recovering from surgery, another friend, Stefanie Cataldo Nehring, has set up a Go Fund Me page to raise money for their living expenses until they can return to work.

“As anyone could imagine, both Jenn and Steve will be out of work for weeks and still have bills to be paid,” said Nehring. “So, I’m asking my friends and family to please help them by making a donation. No amount is too small and any amount will help.”

Nehring would like to raise at least $5,000 to tide them over. To donate, visit the GoFundMe Page.

Image via Jennifer Millimaci