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Ray Vetuskey of Webster, New York, is celebrating what would have been the 100th birthday of the kidney his mother donated to him in 1978, when he was 16. The transplanted kidney is still working 48 years later, making Vetuskey the longest-surviving kidney transplant recipient in Strong Hospital’s history, according to the hospital’s transplant medical services director.
Ray Vetuskey of Webster, New York, is celebrating the 100th birthday of the kidney his mother, Betty, donated to him when he was 16 years old. Transplanted at Rochester’s Strong Hospital in March 1978, the kidney is still functioning 48 years later, and Vetuskey is the hospital’s longest-surviving kidney transplant recipient, according to a transplant program director.
Vetuskey developed serious kidney problems as a teenager. He told WHEC that tests showed his kidneys were not working, and he was put on dialysis. When dialysis did not restore their function, a transplant became his remaining option. His mother, Betty Vetuskey, then 52, offered to donate one of her kidneys.
Vetuskey remembers the two of them on gurneys before surgery, holding hands. He recalled his mother telling him not to worry because she had a Genesis concert to attend and would not miss it. The transplant succeeded, and he made it to the concert. He still has the ticket stub and a March 1978 calendar with the surgery date marked.
Betty has since died. Her son says he thinks of her every day and honored her by having a star named after her in the National Star Registry. Vetuskey now visits Strong Hospital for a check-up once a year. Doctors believe the kidney could continue working for the rest of his life, WHEC reported; that is a projection, not a guarantee.
A Transplant That Outlasted Expectations
The case stands out against the usual lifespan reported for living-donor kidneys. Dr. Miklos Molnar, director of transplant medical services at URochester Medicine, told WHEC that a living-donor kidney typically lasts 15 to 20 years. Vetuskey’s has functioned for 48 years, far beyond that typical range, although one person’s outcome cannot predict how long another transplant will last.
The story also connects a family’s experience to a current regional need. WHEC reported that about 500 people in the region are waiting for a kidney transplant, with hundreds more waiting for other organ transplants. Nancy Ryan of the Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network said the organization hopes accounts like Vetuskey’s prompt people to think about donation and make their decisions while they can.
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From Dialysis to a 1978 Transplant
Vetuskey grew up in Seabreeze, near Rochester, as the youngest of five children. His health problems began during his teens, and the transplant took place at Strong Hospital in March 1978. The report describes the operation as a success and says Betty’s donated kidney has continued to function since then.
Molnar described the mother-son connection as both biological and emotional, noting that relatives share DNA as well as a personal bond. The hospital’s claim that Vetuskey is its longest-surviving kidney transplant recipient is attributed to Molnar; the report does not provide a national ranking or independent comparison with transplant recipients elsewhere.
““I don’t think she gave it two thoughts, anything she could do to help her son, I think she would have done anything which she did in my eyes.””
— Ray Vetuskey, speaking to WHEC
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How Long the Kidney Can Continue
Doctors believe the kidney may last for the rest of Vetuskey’s life, but WHEC’s report does not give a definite forecast or say how long it will continue functioning. Its status is monitored through annual check-ups. The report also does not identify the precise birthday date Betty would have reached 100, or provide details about Vetuskey’s current kidney function beyond saying the organ is still working.
The transplant program’s longevity distinction applies to Strong Hospital, according to Molnar. The source does not establish that Vetuskey holds a record across the United States or worldwide. The regional donor-waiting figures are reported estimates, and no date or underlying data source for those counts is specified.
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Annual Checks and Donor Choices
Vetuskey is expected to continue his annual follow-up visits at Strong Hospital. His doctors’ view that the kidney could last for the rest of his life remains a medical expectation, with its future function to be monitored over time.
The Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network is encouraging people to consider registering as organ and tissue donors. According to WHEC, people older than 16 can sign up, choose which organs or tissues they wish to donate, and change or withdraw their registration later. The report directs readers to the network for registration information.
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Key Questions
Who received the kidney, and when was it transplanted?
Ray Vetuskey received a kidney from his mother, Betty, in March 1978, when he was 16. The surgery took place at Strong Hospital in Rochester, New York.
How long has the donated kidney been working?
WHEC reported that the kidney was still functioning 48 years after the transplant. Vetuskey visits Strong Hospital once a year for a check-up.
Is this the longest-lasting kidney transplant in the country?
The reported distinction is specific to Strong Hospital’s history. The transplant medical services director said Vetuskey is the program’s longest-surviving kidney transplant recipient; the report does not make a national or global record claim.
Can people register as organ donors?
WHEC reported that people older than 16 can register through the donor network and can specify which organs or tissues they want to donate. Registrants can also modify or withdraw their choice.
Source: hn
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