For Ray Marcolini, life has been a journey filled with family, hard work, and devotion to his community. After 25 years as a groundskeeper with Niagara County, he happily retired in 2012, ready to spend his golden years with his wife, Gina, and their three beloved grandchildren.
But in 2019, Ray’s journey took a sharp turn when he needed a kidney transplant. After just a few years, that kidney failed, and he’s now back on dialysis three times a week while waiting for another chance at the gift of life.
Even in the face of challenges, Ray finds strength and hope in his grandchildren—and his passion for vintage cars gives him just the right metaphor for his journey.
Every great road trip needs pit stops, and right now, I’m at one. I’ve got a lot of miles left in me, but I need a kidney to keep driving forward.
Ray is working with his transplant team at Erie County Medical Center to find a living donor. With Gina, his wife of 41 years, by his side, they are sharing their story in hopes of inspiring more New Yorkers to join the state’s Donate Life Registry.
“My family wants Ray to enjoy life to the fullest,” Gina says. “Getting a kidney would mean more time with our grandchildren, more freedom, more joy.”
You have the power to save lives. Enroll as an organ and tissue donor.