Donate Life Month has special meaning for these siblings

Mark Loffredo, a retired, disabled police officer is no stranger to hospitals and doctors.  He was unfortunately injured in the line of duty and experienced nerve damage and other health ailments.  Because he is an incredibly strong individual, often his pain tolerance is much higher than most.  In August 2022, Mark went in for his yearly check-up and annual blood work. Following that appointment, his doctor surprisingly alerted him to immediately go to the Emergency Room.  His kidney function was a mere 6%, despite having minimal symptoms outside of his usual fatigue.

His life quickly became inundated with meeting new specialists, kidney biopsies, additional testing and surgery to place a port for dialysis.  He received dialysis seven days a week for a few months, followed by chemo and once his kidneys were functioning at a higher, more acceptable level, discontinuation of dialysis.

When it was time to select a transplant center, Mark was scheduled for his appointment at HCA Florida Largo Hospital Transplant Center, where he met the multi-disciplinary team who explained the entire transplant process. Mark started sharing his need for a kidney transplant to his family and closest friends, including his sister Jennifer Aulenti.

“There wasn’t a question in my mind about donating. I would do anything for my brother" shared Jennifer. 

Because Mark had Immunoglobulin A (IgA) neuropathy, there was some concern about the disease being hereditary.  Despite this hurdle, the team concluded that Jen could continue the testing process for donation consideration.  After the appropriate testing, Jen was notified that she was a match!

On October 26, 2023, Jen donated one of her healthy kidneys to her brother. Mark felt almost 100% better after his transplant. His first question to the care team was “how’s my sister doing”?  His eagerness to see Jennifer motivated him to walk alongside the rehabilitation team down the hall to visit his sister.

Today, Mark is healthier than ever, and the siblings share a bond that will unite them for the rest of their lives. 

One organ donor has the power to save as many as eight lives and anyone can be a registered donor, regardless of age, race, sexual orientation or medical condition. Learn more about organ donation and how to register: DonateLife.net.