Posted 2009-01-16

I am using web page to inform you about a Local # 3 brother that needs a kidney transplant.
His name is Kevin McGrath. Kevin is a long time member of the Sword of Light Pipe band and a true friend of a lot of Local # 3 members. Kevin has a lot of life and fun in him and could use the help of some brother or Sister.

Yes, the gift of a kidney is a big thing to ask from any individual. However, this gift would keep a wonderful union family going.

Please read the message below for further details.

Thanks
Patrick Rafferty

I am writing this email to inform some of you where we stand on Kevin's kidney problem. Some of you have asked to be kept informed, some have expressed an interest in donating a kidney to Kevin and others just want to keep him in their prayers. We appreciate all of you

Kevin and I met with a kidney transplant surgeon and his team on Monday. The bad news is he will need a kidney in the very near future and the good news is we have time to locate a match for him. Unfortunately, I am not a good match for him as I do not have his blood type. Our kids can't donate as we can't rule out their own kidney problems until they are 30 years old.They will use my kidney only if we can't find a match. Kevin is type O blood and really needs a kidney from a type O donor.

If you would like to have more information on kidney transplants, you can go to www.columbiasurgery.org click on "Learn about a procedure or disease" under "Patient" then click on kidney. You can watch a video or scroll to see different aspects of kidney transplants.

If you know of anyone who might want to donate a kidney or if you wish to be considered, please call us at 516-565-2091 and we can send you a potential donor form. If you think anyone else might want to receive this information, please forward this email to them.

Thanks for all of your concern and good wishes.
Elaine, Kevins wife