Graham has served in the Police Department for over 19 years and as a volunteer at a local homeless organization. He also used to run in charity events until he was diagnosed with stage 5 kidney disease. Now he is looking for his own hero.
About Graham Brathwaite
Graham Brathwaite fulfilled a childhood dream when he joined the New York Police Department 19 years ago. “Being a police officer is something I wanted to do since I was a kid,” he recalls.
During those 19 years, he has served mainly in Queens, where he lives with his wife Maria and their son. One case he’s especially proud of was being part of the team that tracked down a serial stabber who had been terrorizing the city in 2011. “It felt good to get him off the streets so people could feel safe again.” he said. Graham is currently serving as a captain in NYPD’s Internal Affairs unit.
For Graham, service goes beyond his job. He helps feed homeless people in the community, and as a jogger, he’s run in charity events like the 5K Run for Cancer. And when he’s not busy serving others – on the job or in the community – he enjoys spending precious time with family.
Things started to come apart for Graham last year when he was diagnosed with stage 5 kidney disease. At age 43, he continues to work, since he’s only a year shy of retirement, but that’s becoming a challenge. He’s been putting off starting dialysis, in hopes he can find someone to donate a kidney to keep him going.
Do you want to help Graham? Please share the link to Graham’s story or reach out to Kidneys for Communities at info@kidneysforcommunities.org to learn more about how you can help. The Kidneys for Communities team is here to answer your questions.
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