Woman In Need Of Kidney Donation: 'I Don't Want To Miss Anything'

SOUTHOLD, NY — For years, Maryann Palumbo has been a beloved member of the Southold community, whether it's behind the counter at the North Road Deli, the business she owns with her husband Rick, or at the many events she's attended at Southold Schools, attended by her children, Alexa, 21, and Jared, 18.

Now Palumbo, 55, has found herself in a battle for her life as both her kidneys are failing and she desperately seeks a kidney donor. She turned to social media on Sunday with a heartfelt appeal.

"I have some not-so-great news. I have kidney disease and my kidneys are functioning at 18%. I am looking for a live donor for a kidney transplant. My blood type is O+. Got a kidney, anyone? Please share if you can. I’d really appreciate it," she wrote.

After seeing the post, the community has mobilized, sharing her news and sending out an email from the Southold PTA.

"One of our own is in need," the PTA message said. "Many of you know one, or all, of the Palumbos. . . Maryann has some sad news to share. She is ill, very ill, and needs our help. . . If you can, please share this far and wide."

Speaking to Patch Monday, Palumbo said she has always had elevated protein levels and, for the past 15 years, she's struggled with Alport Syndrome, a disease that damages the blood vessels in the kidneys and can lead to kidney failure.

Recently, she said, "My kidneys started failing." As soon as she reached just 20% function in both of her kidneys, she became a candidate to be put on a donor list after tests and clearances. But in the meantime, doctors have told her that if she can find a private donor, she would be able to receive the life-giving transplant much sooner, without having to wait on the list.

As it stands, the wait for a kidney is one to three years — actually less than the usual five to seven, she said.

The news that her kidney function has fallen to below 20% is still terrifyingly new, Palumbo said. "It's awful," she said. "I'm not looking forward to dialysis."

Living with kidney disease, she said, is "horrible." Thankfully, she said, her husband is a chef, able to prepare her meals without salt, potassium, and the long list of ingredients she can no longer eat; all she said she can eat safely is pasta and vegetables.

Not an easy task for someone in the food industry and runs a deli. "I can't have the pastry, the cold cuts. It's not fun," she said.

Palumbo has been unable to work for some time; she is currently on disability, she said.

And now, the thought of what lies ahead is daunting, she said.

"I don't want to miss anything," she said. Her family is thinking about taking a vacation soon, sharing time together before she begins dialysis.

The news has been emotional for her children, she said. "My daughter wants to give me her kidney," she said, her voice breaking. "I told her, 'You haven't had your life yet. You haven't had your kids yet.'"

But still, she said, her daughter's heartfelt offer meant everything. "I feel so loved," she said.

Her son, she said, also has Alport Syndrome and would not be able to donate a kidney; her husband and other family members have not yet been tested, as they just got the news that she needs a transplant during the past two weeks.

"We just found out," she said. "It's shocking. It's scary. And there is fear of the unknown. I don't know what's going to happen next."

The news has sparked a sea of emotions, including frustration, anger, fear and depression, Palumbo said.

If a donor could be found, she said: "That would be wonderful I'd be so thankful. I'd be thrilled."

But, even in the face of uncertainty, the Southold community, she said, has rallied by her side. "Everyone is really pulling together," she said.

Anyone who might want to be tested, Palumbo said, should contact Eneida Hernandez, the pre-transplant coordinator at the kidney transplant patient division of Stony Brook Medicine, by calling 631-444-1787 or emailing Eneida.hernandez@stonybrookmedicine.edu.