Kidney Needed for One of Our Own
Organ Donor Screening Event
January 21, 10 AM to 3 PM
Stratford Police Department
900 Longbrook Avenue
The Stratford Police Department will host an organ donor-screening event in support of Detective Jennifer Murolo. Murolo, 40, who is in stage 5 of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and seeking a living kidney donor before dialysis becomes necessary in about four months. Yale New Haven Health’s Organ Donation and Transplantation Unit is sponsoring the event.
Jen was diagnosed with PKD, which is a hereditary disease causing many fluid-filled sacs (cysts) to develop and grow in your kidneys, causing one’s kidneys to eventually stop working. It also causes high blood pressure, abdomen pain, headaches and kidney infections.
Her devoted friends and colleagues say that although PKD has been an unfortunate part of Jen’s life, it has not stopped her from doing the things she is passionate about. She is a dedicated law enforcement officer, and even with the trials and tribulations of PKD, she proudly serves our town and gives 100%, very rarely missing a day on the job. She also has spent much of her life working with Cat Projects and with animal rescue organizations across the state, supporting all community members including LGBT, and is involved closely with The Special Olympics.
After years of living with PKD, and despite being proactive in keeping her kidneys as healthy as possible in order to manage the disease, her kidneys no longer work and she is now in critical end stage kidney failure. Unfortunately, her siblings and some other family members have tested but were not suitable matches, which leads her to needing a donor.
Jen is on the kidney transplant list and part of the local kidney swap program through Yale Transplant Center, but they estimate it will take years so the most viable path is the National Kidney Swap Program—or the best option, a transplant with a Living Donor match.
Please keep in mind, if you donate this precious gift, life with one kidney is very similar to life with two kidneys (happy & normal). You will get your own independent medical team and coordinators who will advise and protect you throughout the entire process. Her insurance picks up the costs of the evaluation and, if compatible, the surgery.
YNH Health staff will conduct a short presentation and will screen people who wish to be considered for possible organ donation, according to police.
Police said the screening process may lead not only to a kidney donor for Murolo, but possibly to an organ donation to another person in need.
For more information, visit:
