South Philadelphia Man Waits for the Gift of Life this Holiday

The holidays are a time to be grateful for our blessings in life – like the gift of good health. South Philadelphia native, Mike Farulo, understands how difficult it is to live with illness, and waits every day – hoping to receive a second chance at life.

Mike was fortunate to have a healthy childhood.  Then, just a few days before his 18^th birthday, he found out that he had the same disease as his mother.  He began to see a nephrologist and tried to take care of himself by eating healthy and limiting his alcohol intake. He enjoyed his life and spent many years working for National Geographic cruises as a server, bartender and manager, traveling the world and visiting far away destinations like the Galapagos Islands, Norway and New Zealand.  He loved his job and traveling and was able to keep his condition under control.

Unfortunately, three and a half years ago his health took a turn for the worst and he needed to begin dialysis.  He had to give up traveling and began spending more than 12 hours a week in dialysis.  He described it as “feeling like a part-time job.”  Because he was facing such a challenging journey – both physically and emotionally – he decided to seek out support at Gift of Life Donor Program’s Gift of Life Howie’s House.  He began volunteering at the House and became a reliable driver for transplant patients and their family members, driving them to and from doctor appointments at Philadelphia’s local transplant centers.

“I like volunteering at the Gift of Life Howie’s House.  It’s a way for me to talk to others about my experiences and learn about them.” Mike said.  “Many times I don’t feel well before or after dialysis.  I’m wiped out and it’s hard.  I’ve been on the organ transplant waitlist for about three and a half years now, and had to have both of my kidneys removed.  My energy levels are really low, so it’s nice to talk to other people who are going through what I am.”

He said, “I feel like I’m getting closer to receiving a transplant.  I have also been looking for a living donor. There have been a lot of ups and downs during the wait.  I’m trying to stay as healthy as possible and walk to keep my weight down.  It’s a struggle because after dialysis, I am just dead tired.”

Mike said that he is hopeful that he will be able to receive a new kidney by next Christmas, and looks forward to a holiday without dialysis and illness.  He’ll spend this Christmas with his father in New Jersey, along with his cousins and other relatives.  He’s hoping that in 2016 he will receive the gift of life, so that he will be able to eat the foods that he loves and get his energy back.  Always a hard worker, Mike has recently had to quit his job to deal with the exhaustion that he feels from dialysis.

“I always have my phone with me just in case I get that call that there is a kidney for me.  Every night, I go to bed and think tonight I may get that call and my life may be changed forever.  I’m excited for it, but cautious because there are so many factors that affect it happening.  I try to take one day at a time and stay optimistic.” Mike said.  “Being an organ donor can save someone’s life in an instant.  It’s such a powerful thing to be a donor.  Everyone has their life story, and when a person’s life ends it’s amazing to me how they can live on and pass on their lives.  By being an organ donor, a person can save so many lives – including mine.” he said.

Today in Gift of Life’s region, there are nearly 5,900 men, women and children who are awaiting a life-saving organ transplant.  In the U.S., 22 people die each day while waiting.  Unfortunately, there are not enough registered organ and tissue donors, resulting in a shortage of transplantable organs for those who need them.  By registering today at donors1.org, you can help make a difference.  It only takes 30 seconds to register.

Gift of Life Donor Program has worked tirelessly for the past 41 years to coordinate donors’ generosity with those i n need.   Since 1974, Gift of Life – the organ procurement organization for eastern PA, southern NJ and DE – has helped save nearly 40,000 lives through organ donation, and enhanced over half a million lives through tissue donation.