Times Square Billboard Seeks Kidney Donor for New Jersey Father

Mark Whitmore, a father of two from New Jersey, is launching a public appeal on a 22-story digital billboard in Times Square on July 16 to find a living kidney donor. Whitmore is battling End Stage Renal Disease and has relied on nightly dialysis for over a year while awaiting a transplant.

The initiative hopes to mirror a highly publicized event from six years ago where a similar Times Square billboard led to a life-saving kidney donation for television producer Marc Weiner. Weiner, along with retired NYPD Detective Michael Lollo, are now supporting Whitmore's campaign.

With over 90,000 Americans on the national kidney transplant waiting list and an average of 12 deaths per day, the need for living donors is critical. Whitmore's wife and children are medically ineligible to donate, placing his hope on the generosity of a stranger. Kidney Solutions, a support network for transplant patients, is assisting Whitmore.

"No one should have to do this alone," stated Kent Bressler of Kidney Solutions. The organization offers peer mentoring to individuals with kidney disease. Whitmore's transplant centers work with the National Kidney Registry (NKR), which facilitates paired and non-directed donations, allowing individuals not directly compatible with Whitmore to still help him through exchanges.

Donation-related expenses for living donors can be reimbursed through programs like the National Kidney Registry or the National Living Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC). Whitmore encourages anyone considering living donation to visit GiftForMark.com for more information.