Meet the Team

In November 2020, I was browsing Facebook one evening and noticed that my aunt, Jennifer, shared a post. She mentioned that she was looking for a kidney donor. I was absolutely heartbroken, especially knowing that there was a chance that she may not be here to see her baby boy graduate from high school. Without a thought, I told her that I would fill out the application to see if I was a match. Less than a month after the initial testing, I was determined to be the most compatible match. Living in North Carolina at the time, Jennifer lived in El Paso, TX. I was flying back and forth to do testing because I was determined to make this donation happen. In March 2021, I traveled to TX and completed the largest portion of the testing. About 2-3 weeks later, I received a call from my Living Donor Coordinator that was approved to donate. On June 7, 2021, I donated to Jennifer in El Paso, TX. And in June 2022, we got to watch her son, Xavier, graduate from high school. It was the best decision I’ve ever made. In July 2022, I also became an egg donor, donating in San Diego, CA. Since the kidney donation, life has taken on new meaning. I don’t “sweat the small stuff” as much anymore. I am closer to Jennifer and my family. I was able to start higher intensity exercise about two weeks post donation. I am stronger than ever – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. As a competitive marathoner, I am back to my pre-donation mileage and pace PLUS some.

When I am not working, I am probably running, strategizing my next run, or planning my next race. I am crazy about running! I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of not only a community of living kidney donors, but also a family that will have a special place in my heart for the rest of my life. Looking forward to many years with KDA and spreading the word/love of living organ donation!

I became a kidney donor athlete on September 21, 2021, when I donated my left kidney to my son. As both a donor and the father of a recipient, I am a passionate and committed advocate for living donation. The skill and care of the medical team was amazing and the outpouring of support for my son was awesome. It was a life-affirming and life-changing experience for both of us.

Being physically fit and active has always been important to me. I love being outdoors. While I particularly enjoy hiking, backpacking, skiing, and biking with family and friends, running is my favorite activity. I have completed over 25 marathons and more than 100 other races of various distances. I was able to get back to running six weeks after donation and ran the Boston Marathon at the six-month mark. The body’s ability to recover is amazing!
I am the President of a human resource consulting firm, CCI Consulting, and live in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA. My wife (and sometimes running partner) and I love to travel and spend time with our three grown children.

I was introduced to KDA a few days after my donation and was inspired by this community of heroes. I am energized by KDA’s mission of providing inspiration, support, and education. Donors are desperately needed so I want to do all I can to highlight the fact that being a living donor is a life-changing positive experience that is not physically limiting.

I’ve always been active and athletic, but the real elite athletes in my world are my father-in-law (13-time Hawaiian Ironman finisher) and my brother-in-law (Army Ranger and Hawaiian Ironman finisher).  When my brother-in-law was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) several years ago, it began a long downward spiral that ultimately left him physically and mentally depleted and in desperate need of a kidney donation.  Both my wife and I tested, and she donated to him in 2010.

When he needed another kidney ten years later, I stepped in and donated to him in the fall of 2020 at age 62.  I’m basically a wimp when it comes to pain and discomfort, so I was amazed at how quickly the recovery process went.  After healing from the surgery, I resumed my regular workouts and took up pickleball which is now one of my passions (although my game has not yet caught up with my passion!).

Following a 38-year career in the medical/surgical industry, I led a small non-profit for 5 years.  It was exciting to get connected with KDA as it has given both me and my wife a “voice” to advocate for living kidney donation, and also to demonstrate how healthy people in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s can be excellent donor candidates and live a full, active life post-donation.

I became a living kidney donor in January of 2019 and was fortunate to discover Kidney Donor Athletes almost immediately after my donation.

Mentorship and advice I received in the early days of the group not only helped me return quickly and safely to my primary athletic pursuits (obstacle course races and olympic style weightlifting), but it also led me to participate in the inaugural One Kidney Climb to Mount Kilimanjaro in March of 2022. After that adventure, I continued my KDA advocacy by participating in a trek to Everest Base Camp and Mount Kala Patthar in October of 2022, and I am leading a group of donors on the next KDA One Kidney Climb up Kilimanjaro in March of 2024! I am also a mentor for the National Kidney Donation Organization and have spent the last year serving on the KDA Events Committee. I am currently partnering with four other KDA members in preparing to tackle the Guinness World Record for the fastest ascent of all fifty US high points (May/June 2023). I look forward to participating in carrying out the mission of Kidney Donor Athletes and hope to see an end to the kidney transplant waitlist in my lifetime.

After watching a friend pass away in high school while searching for a bone marrow donor I knew in the future that given the chance to help someone in that capacity, I would do it. Deeply rooted in my faith & many years later I had a strong calling to be that blessing in 2019 when I overheard my favorite spin instructor expressing his need for a kidney. I moved forward with testing almost immediately and in June 2020 my kidney donation was a success! While going through the testing process I found the KDA Facebook page and was inspired by so many like minded individuals who knew exactly what I was going through. I had never met anyone that had donated a kidney before and it was encouraging to go through my donation journey with support from people that just “got it”. Those that know me, are aware that living an active life is very important to me and some questioned if I would be able to maintain such a lifestyle post donation. I have found a passion in showing others that you can ever since! I never donated for my own gain but through donation I have gained more than I ever could have imagined thanks to the relationships I have built with other donors along the way. 

Outside of my advocacy adventures you can find me with my husband and our two young children who I hope to inspire daily. It is because of their steadfast support that I am able to make an impact in lives beyond our own.

The journey started when I first learned my neighbor needed help. He was on dialysis, needing a spare, and I had one to give. As an athlete and running coach, I was concerned primarily about life after donating a kidney. I wanted to ensure I could continue a life of movement, which meant running marathons and chasing my kids. While researching, I stumbled upon Kidney Donor Athletes, which opened my eyes to athletes worldwide who already donated. Learning of their stories made me confident of my decision, and in June 2022, I was able to donate my kidney directly to my neighbor successfully.

I have yet to slow down since donating. In fact, it’s been the opposite. Three months after donating, I completed my first race back, a 10-mile race through the Bronx, and the following month, a half marathon. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in 2023 to promote kidney donation was a way for me and others to spread advocacy to more places.

Aside from advocacy for Kidney Donation, you can find me running through the streets of New Jersey or New York City and chasing my two kids around the house.

In 2012, my husband became a living kidney donor, providing the gift of life by donating a kidney to his brother. The process to be approved as a donor was lengthy and information was difficult to find as it related to the effects of the surgery on active adults. As a marathon runner and Ironman, my husband wanted to know that he could continue participating in the activities he loved. He searched for a connection with other athletes to learn from their experiences. 

The Kidney Donor Athletes organization brings together active adults and athletes that have donated kidneys to inspire others to do the same. Through our platforms, we provide the opportunity for a potential kidney donor to interact with a community of KDA donors to share resources and experiences. The KDA community demonstrates that kidney donors can continue to participate in all types of activities – walking, running, cross training, hiking, mountain climbing, kayaking, skiing, cycling and more! 

Join me in learning how we can increase the number of living donors and support active adults and athletes as they provide the gift of life to someone in need. 

My experience in leading not-for-profit entities led me to become the Executive Director for this impressive organization. My passion is to bring volunteers and members together to fulfill the mission of the organization. 

Experience: Not-for-Profit Executive, board operations, strategy and long-term planning, finance, legislative and advocacy representation 

Kidney Donor Athletes was born out of my love of distance running, and my desire to solve problems. When I was getting ready to donate my kidney to a stranger in early 2017 I was surprised by how little information was out there for athletes who wanted to be donors. Where were all the distance runners that donated and were able to get back to their competitive, pre-surgery shape?!

Since then I have found many examples that show that we’re out there, we just needed a common space to share our stories and answer potential donor’s questions!

I have made it a point to get outside of my comfort zone by sharing my story and actively being a living example of how life can be just as active and adventurous post-donation.