Life-Saving Kidney Transplant for Billy McConnell
WHAT:
How would you like to help 2 cousins… 1 who lives in California (the donor) and 1 who lives in New York (the recipient) … to share and receive the Gift of Life?
WHO:
Billy is 38 years old and has 2 sons... he lives in New York. He has a passion for all things baseball, hunting, family, and friends. He is a volunteer Assistant Coach at Wells College and also assists with The Cortland Crush, of the New York Collegiate Baseball League. He has served in the United States Military for 13 years and has deployed to combat zones and other countries numerous times… this may have contributed to his current medical condition. Billy wishes to continue serving his country.
WHO:
Ricky is 34 years old and has 2 beautiful little girls with 1 more in the oven... Mamma Rachael is due this
Valentine's Day! Ricky has worked in the Hospitality Industry for 11 years, managing a resort hotel. Aside from spending time with "his girls", Ricky loves golfing, hiking, and spending time in the out of doors. 
WHY:
Billy has been battling Kidney Disease for a while now. His severely reduced kidney functions now demand a transplant, which is scheduled in early January 2021. By the Grace of God, there has been a great outpouring of support in the form of live donors willing to give the gift of life. Our best Christmas Gift EVER arrived yesterday when our nephew, Ricky, shared the news that he is our “Perfect Match Donor”! Ricky’s gift will give Billy the opportunity to live a full life, free of dialysis… Prayers answered :)
THE CHALLENGE:
We need to transport Ricky from California and bring him to Syracuse, NY to begin “the process” on December 28, 2020. Due to continually rising COVID-19 risks, we are avoiding using commercial transportation and have secured private air transport for Ricky. We estimate that it will cost more than $40,000 to complete this journey… 2 roundtrips, coast-to-coast.
WE ARE BLESSED:
Captain Robert Hallahan, my Chief Pilot, has secured a donation of a private family aircraft for him and me to fly to California ASAP to bring Ricky to NY and then take him back home after the surgery. However, we will still be responsible for all fuel costs, landing fees, and operational incidentals.
CAN YOU HELP?
We are personally asking you to consider donating to our effort. Donations will be used to pay for all expenses associated with both roundtrips and any monies collected in excess of the travel needs will be donated directly to The Upstate Transplant Center, Syracuse, NY.
As a family, we have a lot of “skin” in this game: our son and our nephew. Your donation will help these 2 cousins to share and receive the GIFT OF LIFE and for that, we are deeply grateful!
THANK YOU & MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Bill & Ana McConnell
LOCAL NEWS STORY ABOUT OUR JOURNEY SO FAR:
https://cnycentral.com/news/local/family-and-community-take-to-the-sky-to-help-brewerton-father-in-need-of-organ-transplant
