For most of his career, Daniel Neira’s job was looking out for other people. He served New Yorkers as a transit cop and in the Queens courts, and at home he raised two daughters on his own. Kidney disease ended his NYPD career in 2019. Now it’s threatening the job that matters most to him: being a dad.
About Daniel Neira
A Bronx native, Daniel earned his degree in forensic psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He joined the NYPD in 2005 and spent five years as a transit cop, where his service earned him recognition as Cop of the Year.
After brief tours in the Bronx and Harlem, Daniel spent four years keeping order in the Queens courts. During that time, he developed a liver condition, and while treating it, doctors discovered he had polycystic kidney disease. It grew steadily worse until the pain forced him to retire.
Through all of it, Daniel kept showing up for his girls. Nailani is a high school senior and hopes to follow her dad to John Jay to study criminal law and forensics. Nadia has two years of high school ahead of her.
"Those girls are my everything," Daniel says. "I want to get my health back so I can be there for them as they become adults."
A living kidney donor could give Daniel the chance to get back to the life he wants with his daughters. And anyone considering donation doesn't have to navigate the process alone. Kidneys for Communities can connect potential donors with someone who has donated before and help them understand the support available.
Want to help Dan? Share his story or reach out to Kidneys for Communities at info@kidneysforcommunities.org to learn more. You don't need to have made a decision about donation to get in touch. Our team is here to answer your questions.
How you can help
The process starts with a simple online questionnaire, followed by a phone interview with a transplant coordinator, both of which are completely confidential.
Please also share this website with everyone in your social channels and others who may be interested in helping us out.
KIDNEY DONATION
How does kidney donation work?
A donor doesn’t need to be an exact match. In fact, because of the Nobel Prize-winning paired kidney exchange program, your kidney donation will not only save one life, but it will save several more in the chain.
Living kidney donation is safe, and all costs associated with your donation are covered. Living donor kidneys also last much longer than deceased donor kidneys. A deceased donor kidney transplant, on average, lasts 10-15 years, while a living donor transplant lasts 12-20 years.
Kidneys for Communities® Donor Benefits
Donating a kidney is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling acts someone can do.
Kidneys for Communities can help you through the process to help save a life, but we know there are many obstacles that can be prohibitive to the donor. At Kidneys for Communities, we take care of our donors with the industry’s most complete donor benefits package:
Onboarding and education
Personalized guidance through the donation process
Anonymity
Cost reimbursements:
Travel, food & lodging, lost wages, child, pet and adult care