Celebrating the 100th birthday of the kidney donated to him as a teenager
2 days ago
- Ray Vetuskey received a kidney from his mother Betty in 1978 at age 16, and the kidney is now 100 years old and still functioning.
- He is the longest surviving kidney transplant recipient in Strong Hospital's history.
- Betty donated without hesitation, and the transplant allowed Ray to attend a Genesis concert shortly after surgery.
- Ray honors his mother by naming a star after her and remembers her every day.
- The story emphasizes the importance of organ donation; about 500 people in the region are awaiting kidney transplants.
- The Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network encourages more people to register as organ donors.