ATTLEBORO - The story of an Attleboro Iraq veteran who needs a kidney transplant has touched the hearts of hundreds of people, many of them strangers offering to be tested to determine whether they can become donors.
Since The Sun Chronicle published a story about National Guard Sgt. John Jennings and his family on Monday, more than 300 people have visited his special Facebook page offering good wishes, said his wife Rebecca.
Several have posted their willingness to be tested as potential donors or have contacted his doctors at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence.
Jennings was also interviewed Friday morning on the Fox News Network.
"I want to be able to go about my life living it as normal," Jennings told the Fox and Friends morning program. "And I'm not alone, there's a lot of people in the same situation that I'm in. I'm kind of hoping that my situation will help also get the word out for a lot of other people out there who are dealing with the same thing."
The 20-year Army and National Guard veteran learned in 1995 that he had a form of kidney disease and that he would probably need a transplant by the time he was in his 50s. But two years ago, the 41-year-old's kidney function began to fall off more rapidly than expected. He has been placed on a waiting list for a kidney transplant and has an appointment next month to have a tube inserted in his arm to begin dialysis treatments.
Rebecca Jennings said she, her husband, and their two children have been heartened by the response of so many people.
"It's been amazing," she said. "We never thought it would get this big."
She said her husband, who has served both in Iraq and Saudi Arabia, is keenly aware that he is only one of many victims of kidney disease awaiting transplants and hopes his story will help to raise awareness and prompt more people to consider organ donation.
Family members are the most likely persons to be able to provide a kidney for transplant, but non-relatives can also donate provided their blood and tissue types are compatible. Jennings needs a donor with type O blood.
Those who are interested in potentially donating can contact the Transplant Team at Rhode Island Hospital at 401-444-3285.
Anyone who would like to monitor Jennings's progress or leave a message of encouragement can visit the Facebook page by going to www.facebook.com and entering the words Veteran Seeking A Kidney in the search field.
Since The Sun Chronicle published a story about National Guard Sgt. John Jennings and his family on Monday, more than 300 people have visited his special Facebook page offering good wishes, said his wife Rebecca.
Several have posted their willingness to be tested as potential donors or have contacted his doctors at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence.
Jennings was also interviewed Friday morning on the Fox News Network.
"I want to be able to go about my life living it as normal," Jennings told the Fox and Friends morning program. "And I'm not alone, there's a lot of people in the same situation that I'm in. I'm kind of hoping that my situation will help also get the word out for a lot of other people out there who are dealing with the same thing."
The 20-year Army and National Guard veteran learned in 1995 that he had a form of kidney disease and that he would probably need a transplant by the time he was in his 50s. But two years ago, the 41-year-old's kidney function began to fall off more rapidly than expected. He has been placed on a waiting list for a kidney transplant and has an appointment next month to have a tube inserted in his arm to begin dialysis treatments.
Rebecca Jennings said she, her husband, and their two children have been heartened by the response of so many people.
"It's been amazing," she said. "We never thought it would get this big."
She said her husband, who has served both in Iraq and Saudi Arabia, is keenly aware that he is only one of many victims of kidney disease awaiting transplants and hopes his story will help to raise awareness and prompt more people to consider organ donation.
Family members are the most likely persons to be able to provide a kidney for transplant, but non-relatives can also donate provided their blood and tissue types are compatible. Jennings needs a donor with type O blood.
Those who are interested in potentially donating can contact the Transplant Team at Rhode Island Hospital at 401-444-3285.
Anyone who would like to monitor Jennings's progress or leave a message of encouragement can visit the Facebook page by going to www.facebook.com and entering the words Veteran Seeking A Kidney in the search field.
Photo: Sgt. John Jennings, who is in need of a kidney transplant, and his wife Rebecca say they're heartened by the outpouring of support from family and others who have left messages on a Facebook page. (Staff photo by Mark Stockwell)
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