The Office of Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) today announced that a compatible donor has volunteered to provide Senator Looney with a kidney. Senator Looney is scheduled to undergo surgery early next week.
Senator Looney has lived with Ankylosing Spondylitis, since he was a teenager. This form of arthritis affects the neck and spine. A long-term side effect of taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories to treat this condition is kidney problems.
“The outpouring of support and kindness has truly been overwhelming,” said Senator Looney who has received many calls from friends, relatives and strangers volunteering to be evaluated as potential donors. “I want to thank my volunteer donor for this extraordinary gift and I look forward to seeing all of my colleagues in the General Assembly on the opening day of the legislative session.”
Every year, it is estimated that more than 120,000 Americans are in need of a kidney transplant.
Senator Looney recommended that people who are interested in learning more about the living donation option contact the Yale-New Haven Transplantation Center at 866-925-3897. A transplant coordinator will share more information about living kidney donations, including details about blood work and evaluations, risk factors, the donor surgical experience and recovery process.