Elias Manolis, a 13-year-old from Long Island, New York, was born with a rare condition called ureterovesical junction obstruction, which caused severe fatigue and frequent hospital visits due to infections and surgeries. In February 2025, his fatigue worsened, prompting doctors to recommend a kidney transplant. However, the wait for a donor could take up to two years. Determined to find a donor sooner, Elias’ parents shared his story widely. Tim Fitzpatrick, a fellow Long Island resident and father of a child with a medical condition, learned about Elias and felt compelled to help. After testing, Fitzpatrick was found to be a match, offering hope to Elias and his family by potentially shortening the wait for a life-saving transplant.
QUESTION: How might the experience of waiting for a transplant impact a young person’s outlook on life and their future aspirations?
A 13-year-old’s kidney was failing. Then a stranger stepped in.
