NEW HAVEN — Months after announcing he was in need of a kidney, someone has come forward to help state Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney.
The Democrat from New Haven has Ankylosing Spondylitis, a form of arthritis that must be treated with anti-inflammatory medications that damage the kidneys. FOX 61 spoke to Looney, 68, in August, who said he’d have to go on dialysis if he didn’t get a donor soon.
A compatible donor came forward, according to a statement from Looney’s office, and the state senator will undergo surgery next week.
“The outpouring of support and kindness has truly been overwhelming,” said Looney, who added that many people have come forward to volunteer to be tested as a potential donor. He said even strangers called him. “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.”
Looney’s Catholic parishes, past and present, worked hard at the end of the summer to find potential donors.
Looney asks that if you are interested in donating one of your kidneys that you contact the Yale-New Haven Hospital Transplantation Center at 866-925-3897 to learn more. Each year, more than 120,000 Americans need a kidney.
“It’s such a vital need because the number of organs available is so much less than the number of people in need,” Looney said. “And I just want to help highlight that.”
Just days after the election, when Nutmeggers voted for a split 18-18 Senate, Looney was unanimously reelected to serve as the leader of the Democratic caucus.
