Laurie Corace, a High School secretary and caregiver to her 9/11 responder police officer husband, went to the hospital for a routine pre-op for her knee, but unexpectedly, doctors discovered that both of her kidneys were covered with cysts and not functioning. She urgently needed a kidney transplant.
About Laurie Corace
On February 22, 2022, Laurie received a kidney transplant. Unfortunately, the transplanted kidney was infected with the CMV virus and began to be rejected, resulting in multiple hospitalizations and an ongoing battle for her health. Now, Laurie is on the waiting list for another transplant, living with significantly reduced kidney function.
Before her health issues began, Laurie was a vibrant and integral part of her community, working as a secretary in the New York City education system. Known for her boundless energy, she earned the nickname "Bumblebee" from her colleagues. Laurie would run up and down four flights of stairs throughout the day, always buzzing around to assist students and staff. Unfortunately, she was forced to retire due to her compromised immune system and managing numerous doctor appointments.
Laurie's strength extends beyond her own health struggles. For the past 22 years, she has been a caregiver for her husband, Albert, a former NYPD officer who bravely served during the 9/11 attacks. Albert sustained a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed, and Laurie has been his support system ever since. "It has not been easy, but he is such a good man. We are still together. Life has not been easy but filled with love. He is now my supporter. Love endures," Laurie reflects. Together, they have navigated the challenges of his injury and her illness.
Today, Laurie's life is significantly impacted by her health condition. She follows a strict diet to manage her kidney health and battles low energy levels that prevent her from being her usual, energetic self. Laurie deeply misses the simple joys, like dining out with her husband, but her compromised immune system makes it too risky to be around others. Despite these challenges, she looks forward to the day she can travel again and enjoy retirement with her husband on cruises, embracing the adventures they once loved.
Do you want to help Laurie and her family? Please share the link to Laurie’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