Thomas Minardi says he only has about 7% kidney function, and he is praying for a miracle.
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"Come through here and help me out here," he said. "That's my prayer. I say it every night."
The married father of three says he is running out of time, and if he doesn't find a kidney donor very soon, he will die.
"I worked hard my entire life," he said. "I never get tired, have lots of energy. I could do the work of three men, but now, by 10:30, I'm out of gas."
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He has a big personality and is the man behind Mama Minardi Cookies, an Italian bakery his grandfather opened in 1927.
But from his home in Franklin Lakes, the 59-year-old is now focused on staying upbeat after getting devastating news.
"My jaw dropped, couldn't believe it," he said. "I called my wife."
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Earlier this year, doctors did find a match, and surgery was scheduled for right after Easter. But when COVID-19 hit, everything was put on hold because it was considered elective surgery.
"I thought, OK, I could last another month or two," he said. "Because I thought for sure it was going to come. When you have a little hope there, you're holding onto it."
Surgery was rescheduled for early July, but then came another blow -- The donor changed their mind, feeling that because of the circumstances in the world right now, they couldn't go through with it.
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"I had to get this catheter put in ASAP so I can start some home dialysis," he said. "Can't get to much lower than 7%. That's not a lot of percentage."
Now, he spends most of his time trying to buy just a little more time.
"Keep my fingers crossed," he said. "Hoping someone will see this and come through with a kidney for me so I can go full speed ahead again."
Anyone who wants to find out if they are a match can contact: Kathleen Murdock, living donor coordinator at Hackensack Meridian Health, (551) 996-4453, or Sara-Marie Castellvi, recipient transplant coordinator at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, (973) 322-2143.