Local man needs kidney donor for life-saving transplant

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Local man needs kidney donor for life-saving transplant

Article published on Tuesday, June 14, 2011

REDINGTON SHORES – The family of former law enforcement officer Al Melendez is seeking potential donors for a life-saving kidney transplant.

Melendez, who lives in Redington Shores with his wife Geri, was born with a form of cystic kidney disease that has now become end stage renal failure. He is currently on dialysis and needs a life-saving transplant.

After numerous people tested in his behalf, a potential living donor in 27-year-old Cassidy Renner of St. Louis was found who is still waiting to complete all her tests.

If, for some reason, she is not a match, additional donors will be considered for this important operation.

Persons interested in testing should contact Bill Schwer at the Tampa General Hospital Transplant Center (800-844-9302) and offer to test for Al Melendez.

“More than 3,700 patients are listed at Florida transplant centers awaiting life saving organs,” said Geri Melendez. “Approximately 19 of the waiting patients waiting die every day. However, many of these people get their second chance due to those who designate themselves selflessly as an organ donor.”

The family has established a fundraising campaign with the National Transplant Assistance Fund to help reduce the financial burden of the surgery for both the recipient and the donor through tax-exempt donations.

NTAF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing assistance to transplant and catastrophic injury patients.

The fund is set up in accordance with IRS regulations. All contributions are tax deductible. Visit www.ntafund.org.

Al Melendez was a law enforcement officer for 12 years at the Pinellas Park Police Department and 27 years with the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office. His duties included patrol, vice, undercover narcotics, federal task forces, hostage negotiator, SWAT, field training officer and fugitive retrieval.

Article published on Tuesday, June 14, 2011

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