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Ray Vetuskey, who received a kidney from his mother Betty at age 16 in March 1978, is marking what would have been the organ’s 100th birthday. The kidney is still functioning, and Strong Hospital says Vetuskey is its longest-surviving kidney transplant recipient.
Ray Vetuskey, a Webster, New York, man who received a kidney from his mother at age 16, is marking what would have been the organ donor’s 100th birthday. The kidney, transplanted at Strong Hospital in March 1978, is still functioning, and hospital officials say Vetuskey is the longest-surviving kidney transplant recipient in the hospital’s history.
Vetuskey’s mother, Betty Vetuskey, was 52 when she donated one of her kidneys. The transplant followed a period in which her son developed health problems, underwent tests and started dialysis. Vetuskey told WHEC that dialysis did not restore his kidney function, and doctors determined he needed a transplant.
He recalled that his mother offered to donate without hesitation. The two were taken to surgery on gurneys, he said, and held hands before the operation. Betty told him not to worry because she had a Genesis concert to attend and would not miss it. The transplant succeeded, and Vetuskey made it to the concert. He still has its ticket stub, along with a March 1978 calendar on which he had marked the surgery date.
Forty-eight years after the transplant, Vetuskey visits Strong Hospital for a check-up once a year, according to the report. His mother has since died. He told WHEC that he thinks of her every day and has honored her by naming a star for her through the national star registry.
A Transplant That Lasted 48 Years
The case is a striking example of a living-donor kidney continuing to function far longer than the typical lifespan cited by Vetuskey’s transplant doctor. Dr. Miklos Molnar, director of transplant medical services at URochester Medicine, told WHEC that living-donor kidneys typically last 15 to 20 years. Vetuskey’s outcome is far beyond that range, though the report does not establish why this particular kidney has lasted so long.
The story also puts a personal face on the need for organ donors. WHEC reported that about 500 people in the region are waiting for a kidney transplant, with hundreds more awaiting other organs. The report cited local donor-registration figures and included an appeal from the Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network for people to consider registering.
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Betty’s Donation in 1978
Vetuskey grew up in Seabreeze as the youngest of five children. He described having a close relationship with his mother and remembered her as well liked in their neighborhood. When his kidneys stopped working, a transplant from Betty gave him another treatment option after dialysis failed to restore their function.
Molnar said the relationship between a donor and recipient can have both biological and emotional significance, noting that a mother and son share DNA as well as a personal bond. The source report identifies Vetuskey’s transplant as a record for Strong Hospital’s program; it does not claim that he holds a national or worldwide record.
“Every day I think of her, doesn’t a day go by…She’s right by my side, all the time.”
— Ray Vetuskey, speaking to WHEC
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How Long the Kidney May Last
Doctors believe the kidney could last for the rest of Vetuskey’s life, according to WHEC, but that is a possibility rather than a guarantee. The report gives no medical explanation for the organ’s exceptional longevity and does not provide further details about its current clinical condition beyond saying it is still working. Vetuskey’s outlook remains subject to routine medical follow-up.
The source does not name the date of Betty’s birthday or provide a full account of the clinical factors behind the transplant’s long-term success. It also does not give a precise date for the WHEC report beyond describing the celebration as taking place this year.
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Annual Checks and Donor Registration
Vetuskey is expected to continue his annual check-ups at Strong Hospital, where clinicians can monitor the kidney’s function. No further procedure or treatment change was reported.
The Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network encourages eligible people to consider joining the donor registry. WHEC reported that people older than 16 can register, choose which organs and tissues they wish to donate, and change or withdraw their registration later. The report directs readers to the network for more information.
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Key Questions
Who donated the kidney to Ray Vetuskey?
His mother, Betty Vetuskey, donated one of her kidneys when he was 16. She was 52 at the time.
When did Vetuskey receive the transplant?
The transplant took place in March 1978 at Strong Hospital in Rochester, New York.
Is the transplanted kidney still working?
Yes. WHEC reported that the kidney is still functioning 48 years after the transplant. Vetuskey sees doctors at Strong Hospital once a year for a check-up.
What record does Vetuskey hold?
Strong Hospital officials say he is the longest-surviving kidney transplant recipient in the hospital’s history. The report does not say he holds a national or global record.
Can people change their organ donor registration?
According to WHEC and the Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network, people can choose which organs and tissues to donate and may modify or withdraw their registration.
Source: hn
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