Mary Needs a Gift of Life
- Please share my story to help me find a living kidney donor.
- Get a comprehensive exam & testing as a potential donor at NO COST TO YOU.
- All testing is covered by my insurance and could save your life.
About Mary
My name is Mary Junge. I live in Hunterdon County, NJ, with my husband, Bob, and have two wonderful children and two grandchildren, who are the light of my life. I work with special needs students at the Middle School.
In 2022, I was diagnosed with cancer in my left kidney. There was a massive tumor and the cure was to remove it, which meant surrendering my kidney. For most people, living with one kidney is not an issue. Many, many people only have one kidney and some are even born with one kidney and live their entire lives without an issue.
Unfortunately, I also have an unrelated, rare, genetic kidney disorder called Alport Syndrome, which damages the kidneys. Kidney cancer is devastating for someone with my condition. My remaining kidney function declined, and in the fall of 2025 I was diagnosed with Stage 5 Kidney Disease. Stage 5 means that my kidneys have failed and are no longer able to help my body get rid of poisons, salt, and water. Without kidneys that work, people can become very sick.
This is where I could use your help.
My doctors have told me that the ideal treatment for kidney failure is a kidney transplant. A kidney transplant could come from a deceased donor (someone who has died), but I would have to wait about 3-5 years, or even longer, for this kind of transplant. This would mean I would probably have to spend years on dialysis, where machines would clean my blood for me.
The doctors have said that the best type of kidney transplant is from a living donor, since a living donor transplant can last nearly twice as long as a deceased donor kidney and would mean I do not have to wait for years. Unfortunately, my immediate family cannot be donors, as they also have Alport Syndrome and are not eligible or have other medical complications preventing it.
During my evaluation at the Transplant Center, I learned that one of the best ways to help myself was to make sure that those closest to me know about my situation. I learned that in the United States, there are over 100,000 people on the waiting list for a kidney. Each year, only about 16,000 of them are fortunate enough to get a kidney transplant from someone that has died and donated their organs.
I am hoping I will be able to find a living donor.
That would let me come off of dialysis and be transplanted soon, helping me live longer and with a better quality of life. The donor would not have to be a match to blood type. These days they do something called “pairing”. The recipient’s medical insurance covers everything.
I wholeheartedly appreciate any support that you can offer to me, no matter how big or small. If I can get a kidney transplant from a family member or friend, that would be best for my health and future. I realize that donating a kidney may not be right for everyone, or may simply not be the right time. I also know that donating a kidney is a very personal decision that requires education about the risks and benefits, thoughtful consideration, and the support of loved ones. I trust that God is guiding me through this process and hope that one of my family or friends will be able to help me. Thank you for any and all support.
If you would like to learn more about living donation, the staff at my Transplant Center are wonderful and available to talk with you confidentially. The Transplant Center staff at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center can talk to you about what is involved in the living donation process and answer any questions.
For the Cooper Barnabas Medical Center, you can email CBMCLivingDonor@rwjbh.org or call 973-322-5346 if you wish to do so
You can also complete a donor questionnaire at rwjbh.org/ldiFor the Lehigh Valley Institute, you can call 610-402-8506, Option #5
You can also complete a donor line referral at www.lvhn.org/livingdonor
Calling for information and education, and completing a donor questionnaire does not obligate you in any way. Your call and information regarding your donation process is kept strictly confidential, even from me, unless you consent to share this information
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7