Beloved Father and Husband
I would like to thank you for considering being my kidney donor. I never thought that I would be sitting down to write a letter on the subject of my need for a donated kidney, but here I am...
First, I would like to tell you a little about myself ---
I am a native New Yorker, having been raised in Brooklyn, New York, and the eldest of 3 boys. I grew up in a loving home that unfortunately had a great deal of sadness to deal with – the early death of my father from kidney disease when I was a 10 year old boy and the passing of my younger brother from leukemia when I was 5 years old. My Mom was an incredible loving and wonderous Jewish mother who took care of my middle brother and I unselfishly and unconditionally after the death of our father.
I am the proud father of three children. Pauley is a Ph.D. student in environmental and global health currently conducting research in Africa.
I remarried 10 years ago to "my beshert", Lisa. Together we have 7-year-old boy/girl twins, who are the center of our universe. My wife is an accomplished OB-GYN, who also grew up in New York, graduated from Mount Sinai Medical School, and completed her residency at Lenox Hill Hospital. She moved to Atlanta after her training and that is where we met...and the rest is history. My wife continues to work delivering babies and bringing new life into the world as well as taking care of women's health care needs. We both play a very active role in the upbringing of our children.
First, I would like to tell you a little about myself ---
I am a native New Yorker, having been raised in Brooklyn, New York, and the eldest of 3 boys. I grew up in a loving home that unfortunately had a great deal of sadness to deal with – the early death of my father from kidney disease when I was a 10 year old boy and the passing of my younger brother from leukemia when I was 5 years old. My Mom was an incredible loving and wonderous Jewish mother who took care of my middle brother and I unselfishly and unconditionally after the death of our father.
I am the proud father of three children. Pauley is a Ph.D. student in environmental and global health currently conducting research in Africa.
I remarried 10 years ago to "my beshert", Lisa. Together we have 7-year-old boy/girl twins, who are the center of our universe. My wife is an accomplished OB-GYN, who also grew up in New York, graduated from Mount Sinai Medical School, and completed her residency at Lenox Hill Hospital. She moved to Atlanta after her training and that is where we met...and the rest is history. My wife continues to work delivering babies and bringing new life into the world as well as taking care of women's health care needs. We both play a very active role in the upbringing of our children.
Dedicated Psychologist and Jewish Community Volunteer
I graduated from Brooklyn College at the age of 20, and went on to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of South Carolina. After an internship year in Atlanta, I began my career as a professor at Georgia State University. I have dedicated my life to helping individuals overcome tragedy, emotional trauma, and pain. When our twins were born, I significantly reduced my professional work load, and became a stay-at-home Dad.
Lisa and I emphasize the importance of our heritage, values and Jewish customs to our children. Our amazing twins, Bryna Pearl (Avigail Penina) and Perlman "Perly" Brice (Pinchas Baruch) were named after both of our mothers, Beatrice (Avigail Bryna) and Pearl (Penina, Pesh) of blessed memory. They began attending Chabad Intown Jewish Preschool in Atlanta at 18 months of age. Our twins Jewish education has continued with their attending Jewish Kids Group (JKG), a Jewish after school program. They have also attended the In The City Jewish Day Camp for the last two years. They love the Jewish traditions, holidays, songs, and have a love for Israel.
I like to believe that I have made a meaningful contribution to the Atlanta Jewish Community over the past 40 years. I was the first faculty advisor to Hillel at Emory University while on the faculty at Georgia State University. I wrote a column entitled, "Have I Got an Answer for You" for The Southern Israelite (Atlanta Jewish Times). I have enjoyed many years as a singer and actor in Atlanta's Jewish performing arts scene. Alongside my eldest daughter, Pauley, I performed in numerous musical theater productions at the former Atlanta Jewish Community Center (currently Jewish Theater of the South). I was also a member of the Atlanta Jewish Male Choir. I supported my eldest daughter in her involvement as a young volunteer for over 10 years at the weekly "Schmooze and Sing" entertainment program at the William Breman Jewish Home, a retirement and nursing facility for Jewish residents.
Lisa and I emphasize the importance of our heritage, values and Jewish customs to our children. Our amazing twins, Bryna Pearl (Avigail Penina) and Perlman "Perly" Brice (Pinchas Baruch) were named after both of our mothers, Beatrice (Avigail Bryna) and Pearl (Penina, Pesh) of blessed memory. They began attending Chabad Intown Jewish Preschool in Atlanta at 18 months of age. Our twins Jewish education has continued with their attending Jewish Kids Group (JKG), a Jewish after school program. They have also attended the In The City Jewish Day Camp for the last two years. They love the Jewish traditions, holidays, songs, and have a love for Israel.
I like to believe that I have made a meaningful contribution to the Atlanta Jewish Community over the past 40 years. I was the first faculty advisor to Hillel at Emory University while on the faculty at Georgia State University. I wrote a column entitled, "Have I Got an Answer for You" for The Southern Israelite (Atlanta Jewish Times). I have enjoyed many years as a singer and actor in Atlanta's Jewish performing arts scene. Alongside my eldest daughter, Pauley, I performed in numerous musical theater productions at the former Atlanta Jewish Community Center (currently Jewish Theater of the South). I was also a member of the Atlanta Jewish Male Choir. I supported my eldest daughter in her involvement as a young volunteer for over 10 years at the weekly "Schmooze and Sing" entertainment program at the William Breman Jewish Home, a retirement and nursing facility for Jewish residents.
Hopes for the Future
My health has recently declined to the point where I only possess enough energy to spend a few hours a day upholding responsibilities that require my full-time commitment. I have been told that I will need to start the invasive and debilitating procedure of dialysis by the end of this month (April 2017). In addition to the physical and mental toll that dialysis takes, the physical contact I have with my two young children will significantly increase my risk of infection. My greatest desire is to play an active role in the day-to-day life of my intimate and loving family. What I need is a special donor who can help change my quality of life for the better. I so want to continue to be vibrant and active for my young children. Without a donor kidney, such a life will not be possible.
I pray that an altruistic donor will enable me to see my children reach their milestones in life, inclusive of their bat and bar mitvah. And G-d willing, I will be afforded the opportunity to see them grow up to be successful and happy contributors to society as they uphold our Jewish faith, ideals and culture. Thank you for your consideration and the reading of my story. May G-d bless you always.
I pray that an altruistic donor will enable me to see my children reach their milestones in life, inclusive of their bat and bar mitvah. And G-d willing, I will be afforded the opportunity to see them grow up to be successful and happy contributors to society as they uphold our Jewish faith, ideals and culture. Thank you for your consideration and the reading of my story. May G-d bless you always.