Vinny Randazzese '99C is an alumnus of St. John’s University. He is a member of the Class of 1999, having earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. He has wonderful memories of his days at St. John’s. Vinny met his wife, Maria R. Randazzese '00CBA, (now 15 years) at the University. The Randazzeses have an eight-year-old son and they all adore one another. Vinny needs our prayers and assistance with a liver donor. As a young boy, Vinny was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits one’s ability to breathe over time. Since his initial diagnosis, he has needed medication to survive. Throughout his life, Vinny has been taking medication for his pancreas; over time he has developed cirrhosis of the liver. There are new medications on the market now to eradicate the disease in the lungs, but, his liver can’t tolerate the medications. Fortunately, these new medicines could give Vinny another 25 years or more of his life. Vinny’s family members and close friends have been tested to donate his/her liver but unfortunately, none are matches. The family is seeking help from St. John’s alumni. The gift of organ donation is life-saving and one of the greatest gifts a human can give. The liver of a donor regenerates itself within 6-8 months, and the donor will have a normal, healthy life. NYU hospital has excellent outcomes with liver donations and is one of the top facilities in the nation for this type of transplant. We ask anyone who may be interested in being a living liver donor or would like to have more information for this life-saving gift, to contact Living Liver Donor Transplant Coordinator Patricia Tabamo at NYU Hospital 212-263-3621 or email at [email protected].
- Stacey Varghese '99C, Director of Leadership Annual Giving and Engagement